POPSTAR AND GAY icon George Michael died yesterday, aged just 53.

It was a premature end for a man who at times seemed larger than life – talented and generous, he experienced ups and downs and times when his personal life was made shockingly public without his permission.

Here’s a look back at how he went from a young singer in Wham to the man who hit back at the tabloids with his own music.

George Michael (r) and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham at Heathrow Airport before leaving for a tour of Japan. PA PA

George Michael (left) and Andrew Ridgeley in 1984. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

1985: George Michael of Wham!, concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith, Bono of U2, Paul McCartney, concert organizer Bob Geldof and Freddie Mercury of Queen join in the finale of the Live Aid famine relief concert, at Wembley Stadium, London. JOE SCHABER JOE SCHABER

George Michael on stage for Wham's last sell out concert at Wembley Stadium in London in 1986. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

George Michael collecting his Ivor Novello award at London's Grosvenor House for his album Faith in 1989. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

George Michael singing on stage during a Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in London in 1992 PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Princess Diana, then the Patron of the National Aids Trust talking to George Michael ahead of a concert of Hope at Wembley Arena in London, to mark World Aids Day in 1993. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

1999: Tom Jones (left) and George Michael performing a duet during a tribute concert to Sir Paul McCartney's late wife Linda, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

2007: George Michael makes a statement to the press outside Brent Magistrate's Court after he was sentenced to 100 hours community service for driving while unfit PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

George Michael outside his house in Highgate, north London, after being released from prison in 2010. He had crashed his car while high on cannabis. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Performing at Wembley Stadium in 2007. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

At the event to announce his European orchestral tour in 2011. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Tributes outside George Michael's house today. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Read: ‘A woman needed £15k for IVF. George Michael secretly phoned and gave her the money’>