Singer George Michael has died aged 53, according to his publicist. Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service responded to an address in Goring in Oxfordshire at 13:42 GMT. Police report there were no suspicious circumstances.
The star in the 1980s group Wham is said to have “passed away peacefully at home”.
George Michael, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in north London, sold more than 100m albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades, including Wham and solo performances.
In a statement, the star’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.
Wham’s #1 chart songs Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Careless Whisper, Everything She Wants were released in 1984.
George Michael had several battles to stay healthy in recent years.
He suffered injuries in a serious car crash on May 16, 2013, and was airlifted to a trauma center in London.
He nearly died from pneumonia in late 2011.
Pneumonia 2011
“One afternoon I was having lunch and suddenly felt really odd and said to everyone that I need to go and lay down for half an hour on my own.
“And that’s the last thing I remember for five weeks. It was three weeks of them trying to save my life and two weeks awake.
“I literally had to learn to walk again and weird stuff, because when they keep you sedated for that long your muscles literally atrophy at an incredible rate. And I just woke up like this feeble old man.”
— George Michael
“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”
Mirror George Michael’s health battles and brushes with death as star passes away aged 53
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Wham! – Last Christmas.
George Michael – Careless Whisper (Official Video).
George Michael – Vogue X Instagram “Freedom! 90” Video.
George Michael – Too Funky.
George Michael – Feeling Good.
George Michael – One More Try.