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George Michael has died, reason “unexplained”

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou) was a successful pop star, both as a solo artist and earlier in the pop group Wham! During his career Michael sold over 100 million albums, with his most successful recording being his 1987 debut solo album, Faith, which sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. Michael was also a friend of many other celebrities and royalty. In recent years some of Michael’s behavior had become “erratic” including several cautions for drugs offences. He also nearly died from pneumonia in late 2011, but was saved when surgeons performed a tracheotomy.

The cause of Michael’s death on December 25, 2016 is unknown. According to the BBC Michael died ‘peacefully’ and the early reports suggest no suspicious circumstances and possibly ‘natural causes’ (although more details are sure to follow). A police report indicates that Thames Valley Police and the South Central Ambulance Service attended the singer’s in Goring in Oxfordshire at 1.42 p.m. The police are reporting the death as “unexplained” but there appear to be no suspicious circumstances.

Singer George Michael

Singer George Michael
Flickr user ernohannink

Andrew Ridgeley (@ajridgeley) “Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx.”

A statement from Michael’s PR agency (via Sky News) runs: “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 53-year-old artists was set to release a documentary in 2017 as well as a new album (produced by Naughty Boy), The Guardian reports.

George Michael’s U.K. number one singles:

Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (with Wham!) – 1984
Freedom (with Wham!) – 1984
Careless Whisper – 1984
I’m Your Man (with Wham!) – 1985
The Edge of Heaven (with Wham!) – 1986
A Different Corner – 1986
I Knew You Were Waiting For Me (with Aretha Franklin) – 1987
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (with Elton John) – 1991
Five Live EP (with Queen and Lisa Stansfield) – 1993
Jesus To A Child – 1996
Fastlove – 1996

On hearing the news, Sir Elton John posted a photograph of himself with Michael, via Instagram: “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.”

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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