'Last Christmas' Singer George Michael Died 'peacefully' On Christmas Day
Christmas day is mired with sadness with the passing of the English singer George Michael at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire at the age of 53.
"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 pop superstar's publicist announced in a statement to BBC. "The family would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."
The late singer's manager Michael Lippman said he was notified of a phone call of the tragic news Christmas morning. The manager said Michael was found dead "in bed, lying peacefully," ruled out that there was "no foul play whatsoever" and that heart failure was also unexpected.
"I'm devastated," Lippman told Billboard.
Thames Valley Police also stated that they would undertake a post-mortem as they considered the death "unexplained but not suspicious."
Another English singer, Sir Elton John, led the list of stars who paid tribute and expressed sorrow for the loss of another talent.
"I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist," he wrote on Instagram with an accompanying photo of himself and the late singer. "My heart goes out to his family and all his friends."
Michael launched his successful career in 1981 as part of the music duo "Wham!" with Andrew Ridgeley. Their best-selling songs include "Last Christmas," "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Freedom," "Everything She Wants" and "Careless Whisper."
He then embarked his venture as a solo artist beginning 1987 when he sang a duet with Aretha Franklin for the song "I Knew You Were Waiting."
The singer-songwriter and record producer admitted to being bisexual until he publicly came out as gay in 2007. He was embroiled in several scandals and legal battles involving anonymous sex and possession of drugs.
