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Updated at 8.57pm
FELLOW MUSICIANS, POLITICIANS and LGBT campaigners have been paying tribute to George Michael, following the pop superstar’s death at the age of 53.
His partner, Fadi Fawaz paid tribute to Michael, saying that he found the singer in bed after passing away.
Details of Michael’s death emerged yesterday.
“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,” his publicist said in a statement last night.
Thames Valley Police said the ambulance service had attended a property in Goring in Oxfordshire, where the singer lived, at 1.42pm yesterday and a 53-year-old man was confirmed dead at the scene.
“At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course,” the police said.
Billboard magazine quoted Michael’s manager Michael Lippman as saying the singer had died of heart failure.
Singer Elton John published a picture of himself with Michael on his Instagram account.
“I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend – the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist,” the British star wrote.
Madonna posted a video of herself presenting Michael with an award and wrote: “Farewell my Friend! Another Great Artist leaves us.”
His former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said on Twitter that he was heartbroken at the loss of his beloved friend.
Michael was due to release a documentary in 2017 after a period of living as a virtual recluse in which he hit the headlines for a series of bizarre incidents linked to drugs.
Earlier this month it was also announced that producer and songwriter Naughty Boy was working with Michael on a new album for next year.
Michael was best known for his 1980s hits Last Christmas, Freedom, Careless Whisper and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, but his career spanned more than three decades.
He won a string of awards including two Grammies and three Brits.
His last album Symphonica (2014) rose to number one in the charts.
‘Talented soul’
Many tributes to Michael referred to other music world deaths in 2016, starting with David Bowie in January and including Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt who died on Saturday.
“2016 – loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to George Michael’s family,” the band Duran Duran said on their official Twitter account.
Canadian musician Bryan Adams tweeted:
I can’t believe it. Such an incredible singer and a lovely human being, far too young to leave us.
Tributes poured in from outside the music world too.
Gary Lineker tweeted: “No, not George Michael as well. Another musical great leaves us this year. 2016 can just sod off.”
Star Trek actor and LGBT campaigner George Takei referred to some of Michael’s greatest hits in a tweet, writing: “Rest with the glittering stars, George Michael. You’ve found your Freedom, your Faith. It was your Last Christmas, and we shall miss you.”
Boy George, a 1980s contemporary of Michael’s, wrote:
“I am thinking of @GeorgeMichael‘s family, friends and fans right now. He was so loved and I hope he knew it because the sadness today is beyond words. Devastating.
What a beautiful voice he had and his music will live on as a testament to his talent. I can’t believe he is gone. I hope the Buddha will hold him in his arms. NMRK.
Nile Rodgers / Twitter
Nile Rodgers / Twitter / Twitter
Mark Ronson / Twitter
Mark Ronson / Twitter / Twitter
Pet Shop Boys / Twitter
Pet Shop Boys / Twitter / Twitter
Meat Loaf / Twitter
Meat Loaf / Twitter / Twitter
Stonewall / Twitter
Stonewall / Twitter / Twitter
Drug charges, health scares
Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou to a Greek Cypriot father and English mother in north London in 1963.
He met Ridgeley at high school and the pair went on to form Wham! in 1981.
With their good looks, perma-tans, highlighted hair and hedonistic image, the duo captured the go-getting spirit of the age and fast became one of Britain’s biggest pop acts.
In 1985, Wham! became the first Western pop band to perform in China as the country was slowly beginning to open up to the outside world under reformist leader Deng Xiaoping.
Following years of speculation over his sexuality, Michael came out as gay in 1998 after being arrested for committing a ‘lewd act’ in the public toilet of a Los Angeles park.
It was the first of several incidents that were to overshadow his musical career in his later years.
He notched up police cautions for cannabis and crack cocaine possession and in 2010 was sentenced to eight weeks in jail after crashing his car into a London shop while under the influence of cannabis and prescription medication.
In 2011, he spent several weeks in hospital in Vienna after contracting pneumonia, later saying that he had been close to death.
There were fresh concerns in 2013 when he had to be airlifted to hospital after falling out of his chauffeur-driven Range Rover as it travelled at high speed on a motorway.
Ian James Lee / Twitter
Ian James Lee / Twitter / Twitter
© – AFP, 2016 with reporting from Daragh Brophy
Didnt see much of Harris lately.Is there an election coming up or something.
@Willie Marty: No its just that when they are under the cosh for whatever latest scandal they’ve caused they always send a Minister from a different portfolio out to explain, or if a female minister is on the news she is always flanked by two male colleagues.
@Liz Dunning: We really need a rest from Fianna Fail especially Skearon, people are sick of the same faces, the perpetual scandals, enough is enough.
@Liz Dunning: I knew it wouldnt be long before the FFG cult followers would be on the case.
@Liz Dunning: They seem to drag out Harris when the likes of Martin and Varadkar and other ministers run for cover. His ministerial record is a disaster…It’s his helpless took that they hope will appeal to people.
@Mr Inbetween: yeah senators on tv instead of a TD, says a lot about them.
@Liz Dunning: most of the FFG government usually hide out there with every scandel going on….the caves full id say
@Liz Dunning: why is he always sticking his nose into other departments ? Must be no work to do in higher Education
@Willie Marty: Lately, Simon Harris has been developing apprenticeships to the extent that over 20,000 are now learning & earning. Access to the 60+ options is now part of CAO, which reduces some stress on students & families.
@D Farrell: is that not his job. ????as minister for higher Education.
I wonder what croney friend fo Fianna gael it will be?
Another job for one of the lads or ladies or inbetweeners !! Was it advertised?
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Didn’t see it. Flog it anyway. I’d apply.
It’s NOT going to work! Trust has bolted and Ain’t coming back!!! Scrap the TV Tax! Time for Subscription!!! Enough IS Enough!!!
@Liz Dunning: @Liz Dunning: Better scrap it altogether, Liz.
We weren’t put in this planet to support a mouthpiece for FFG.
Nor to keep Golden Boys and Girls in the manner to which they have become accustomed.
If it must be kept, then make it subscription.
And make it live within its means.
The rest of us have to.
By the way, which of the party’s expense accounts do you fall under?
@Liz Dunning: I have never heard anyone actually define what public service broadcasting is. Their explanation would be probably something like the shambles that is the referendum. None of them seem to be able to get a proper handle on explaining it.
Pretty sure the definition of PSB is not the likes of ‘Fair City or Dancing etc.’
@Liz Dunning: Do you know what the So called State broadcaster is showing today apart from Repeats? Hitler..A Life in pictures! I mean WTAF??? You want it, YOU pay for it!!
DEFUND RTE!
In the interest of transparency how much taxpayer money is the chair of the board compensated and how much of an expense account would they have?
@Ron Collins: On the news today, the figure of €30000 was mentioned.
RTE is not a public service broadcaster.
Didn’t the government have a few foreign people over to lecture to us about our security and NATO.
It was held in 4 counties and without attending, the only way to see or hear was the internet. If like the government told us it was very important, why didn’t our Public Service Broadcaster air it ?
The unholy troika of fianna gael, the Catholic church and RTE!
@Liz Dunning: @Liz Dunning: That’d be why they tried to give control of that new hospital down Vincent’s way into the control of the Church?
Despite the repeated outcries.
You should work for the russians, Liz.
Or US Republicans.
You have the same acquaintance with the truth.
@Michael o connor: yeah, it will be far better under Sharia Fein
@Ultimate Warrior: well the Sinaloa Gaels don’t seem to be making a go of it!
@Liz Dunning: You mean like the sweetheart deal made by FF and the religious orders concerning the crimes committed by the Church. The Church and their political wing in FFG have not gone away.
Harris we hope you do this crountry a big favor and step down .
Is the rumour that it will be Paul Reid tru?
@Padraig O’Brien: Why not that chap that messed up Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and DCC?
@Padraig O’Brien: ya. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil!
If Paul Reid gets the RTE Chair gig. Cronyism at its worst.
RTE and this Government is the new , Duffy’s Circus . Clowns the lot of them!!
Just read the Tayto Park article… It’s definitely worth a read…. unfortunately, comments are closed.
Let’s not forget those that insulted and abused those of us calling for RTE to be defunded the last few years. Hypocrites now calling for it
A national broadcaster is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, I welcome this development wholeheartedly
@Ultimate Warrior: Bahhhaa haha ha haha. You’re Funny!!!
@Ultimate Warrior: You mean, like TASS?
PSB does this include the journal,another part of the propaganda machine
Well done Journal,as usual closing comments on GENOCIDE.
Can anyone honestly look at the headlines these days and tell me we aren’t fkd?
Simon (18 previous covids) Harris. A great educated man.
Poison chalice.
Wonder which FFG mate is owed a dig out or thank you for services rendered lol. They are going to be a stalking horse.
have your say