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| George Michael: Pop superstar dies at 53 | George Michael: Pop superstar dies at 53 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Singer George Michael has died at the age of 53, his publicist has said. | Singer George Michael has died at the age of 53, his publicist has said. |
| The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and continued his success as a solo performer, is said to have "passed away peacefully at home" in Goring, Oxfordshire. | The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and continued his success as a solo performer, is said to have "passed away peacefully at home" in Goring, Oxfordshire. |
| Thames Valley Police say they are treating the death as unexplained but there were no suspicious circumstances. | Thames Valley Police say they are treating the death as unexplained but there were no suspicious circumstances. |
| His former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was "heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend". | His former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was "heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend". |
| Writing on Twitter and referring to Michael as "Yog", a nickname for "Yours Only George", he added: "Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx" | Writing on Twitter and referring to Michael as "Yog", a nickname for "Yours Only George", he added: "Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx" |
| In a statement, Michael's publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period. | In a statement, Michael's publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period. |
| "The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage." | "The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage." |
| Obituary: George Michael | Obituary: George Michael |
| George Michael: A life in pictures | George Michael: A life in pictures |
| How the world reacted | How the world reacted |
| On Instagram, Sir Elton John posted a photograph of himself with Michael, writing: "I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans." | On Instagram, Sir Elton John posted a photograph of himself with Michael, writing: "I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans." |
| Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service attended a property in Goring at 13:42 GMT on Christmas Day. | Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service attended a property in Goring at 13:42 GMT on Christmas Day. |
| The force said: "At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. | The force said: "At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. |
| "A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course. There will be no further updates from Thames Valley Police until the post-mortem has taken place." | "A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course. There will be no further updates from Thames Valley Police until the post-mortem has taken place." |
| A small heart wreath and a rose are among the tributes that have begun to be left outside the front door of Michael's home, a detached property by the River Thames. | A small heart wreath and a rose are among the tributes that have begun to be left outside the front door of Michael's home, a detached property by the River Thames. |
| Treatment for pneumonia | Treatment for pneumonia |
| Michael, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in north London, sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades. | Michael, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in north London, sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades. |
| He first found fame with his schoolfriend Ridgeley in duo Wham! - reaching number one in the singles charts on four occasions - before going on to release solo albums, including the multi-million selling Faith in 1987 and its follow-up Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1. | He first found fame with his schoolfriend Ridgeley in duo Wham! - reaching number one in the singles charts on four occasions - before going on to release solo albums, including the multi-million selling Faith in 1987 and its follow-up Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1. |
| It outsold Faith in the UK but led to Michael losing a court case with record label Sony over his frustration over how the album has been marketed. | It outsold Faith in the UK but led to Michael losing a court case with record label Sony over his frustration over how the album has been marketed. |
| From teen idol to long-term stardom | From teen idol to long-term stardom |
| His talents as a singer, songwriter and music producer made George Michael one of the world's biggest-selling artists. | His talents as a singer, songwriter and music producer made George Michael one of the world's biggest-selling artists. |
| Blessed with good looks and a fine singing voice, his stage presence made him a favourite on the live concert circuit as he matured from teen idol to long term stardom. | Blessed with good looks and a fine singing voice, his stage presence made him a favourite on the live concert circuit as he matured from teen idol to long term stardom. |
| But there were times when his battle with drugs and encounters with the police made lurid headlines that threatened to eclipse his musical talents. | But there were times when his battle with drugs and encounters with the police made lurid headlines that threatened to eclipse his musical talents. |
| Read more in George Michael's obituary | Read more in George Michael's obituary |
| George Michael: A life in pictures | George Michael: A life in pictures |
| As a solo artist, Michael scored a further seven number one singles in the UK with songs including Careless Whisper and Faith, and won three Brit Awards and two Grammys. | |
| Grammy organisers said Michael's "extraordinary talent had a profound impact on countless entertainers worldwide, and his creative contributions will live on forever". | |
| Troubled artist | |
| Michael later began facing headlines for the wrong reasons. | |
| In October 2006 he pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs, and in 2008 was cautioned for possession of class A drugs, including crack cocaine. | In October 2006 he pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs, and in 2008 was cautioned for possession of class A drugs, including crack cocaine. |
| In September 2010, Michael received an eight-week prison sentence following an incident the previous July in which he crashed his Range Rover into a shop in north London. He admitted driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis. | In September 2010, Michael received an eight-week prison sentence following an incident the previous July in which he crashed his Range Rover into a shop in north London. He admitted driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis. |
| Pop stars from Michael's heyday were joined by contemporary names in paying tribute on Twitter. | Pop stars from Michael's heyday were joined by contemporary names in paying tribute on Twitter. |
| ABC frontman Martin Fry said: "Absolutely devastated to hear of the loss of @GeorgeMichael Truly brilliant talent #sad #sad #sad." | ABC frontman Martin Fry said: "Absolutely devastated to hear of the loss of @GeorgeMichael Truly brilliant talent #sad #sad #sad." |
| Duran Duran referred to the the so-called "curse of 2016" - following the deaths of David Bowie, Prince and Rick Parfitt - posting on their official Twitter account: "2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael's family." | Duran Duran referred to the the so-called "curse of 2016" - following the deaths of David Bowie, Prince and Rick Parfitt - posting on their official Twitter account: "2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael's family." |
| The band included a picture of Michael with singer Simon Le Bon, Sting and Bob Geldof. | The band included a picture of Michael with singer Simon Le Bon, Sting and Bob Geldof. |
| Robbie Williams, whose first solo single was a cover of Michael's song Freedom, wrote: "Oh God no …I love you George …Rest In Peace x". | |
| Singer Pixie Lott tweeted: "Grew up listening to the beautiful and talented @GeorgeMichael - my mama's favourite! was a pleasure to meet him so sad to hear the news." | Singer Pixie Lott tweeted: "Grew up listening to the beautiful and talented @GeorgeMichael - my mama's favourite! was a pleasure to meet him so sad to hear the news." |
| Fellow pop star La Roux wrote: "Another one gone.... What a voice, what a songwriter." | Fellow pop star La Roux wrote: "Another one gone.... What a voice, what a songwriter." |
| DJ Tony Blackburn said: "Unbelievable, George Michael has died at the age of 53. RIP.This dreadful year goes on and on. So sad, a real talent." | DJ Tony Blackburn said: "Unbelievable, George Michael has died at the age of 53. RIP.This dreadful year goes on and on. So sad, a real talent." |
| George Michael's UK number one singles | George Michael's UK number one singles |
| Earlier this month it was announced that producer and songwriter Naughty Boy was working with Michael on a new album. | Earlier this month it was announced that producer and songwriter Naughty Boy was working with Michael on a new album. |
| A documentary film entitled Freedom was also due for release next March. | A documentary film entitled Freedom was also due for release next March. |
| In 2011, Michael postponed a series of concerts after being taken to hospital for treatment for pneumonia. | In 2011, Michael postponed a series of concerts after being taken to hospital for treatment for pneumonia. |
| After treatment in a Vienna hospital, he made a tearful appearance outside his London home and said it had been "touch and go" whether he lived. | After treatment in a Vienna hospital, he made a tearful appearance outside his London home and said it had been "touch and go" whether he lived. |
| Doctors were said to have performed a tracheotomy to keep his airways open and he was unconscious for some of his spell in hospital. | Doctors were said to have performed a tracheotomy to keep his airways open and he was unconscious for some of his spell in hospital. |
| After years of refusing to be drawn on speculation about his sexuality, Michael disclosed he was gay in 1998 after being was arrested in a public toilet in Beverly Hills, California, for engaging in a lewd act. | After years of refusing to be drawn on speculation about his sexuality, Michael disclosed he was gay in 1998 after being was arrested in a public toilet in Beverly Hills, California, for engaging in a lewd act. |
| What are your memories of George Michael? Did you meet him? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | What are your memories of George Michael? Did you meet him? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |