Late British singer-songwriter George Michael is being honoured with a personalised collectable coin. 
Britain's Royal Mint said on Monday the new coin, which depicts Michael wearing his trademark sunglasses, pays tribute to the music star's 1987 hit solo single "Faith".

Officially approved by Michael’s estate, it was designed by artist and sculptor Sandra Deiana. “From his debut with WHAM! to becoming one of the bestselling solo musicians of all time, George Michael is a global superstar whose work has inspired and influenced generations with his music and his unique style," said Rebecca Morgan, director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint.

"Loved by millions of fans worldwide, we are delighted to be introducing an official UK coin celebrating his life and legacy," she said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-oppenheimer-team-hails-solidarity-during-actors-strike-during-sag-win-693706">Oppenheimer team hails solidarity during actor’s strike at SAG Awards 2024</a>

Michael, who rose to stardom in the 1980s with Wham! before embarking on a successful solo career, died on Christmas Day in 2016 at the age of 53.

Wham!'s enduring 1984 festive song "Last Christmas" finally secured the "Christmas Number 1" spot for the first time on the UK music charts in December, 39 years after its release.

The new coin is the latest addition to the Royal Mint's "Music Legends" series, which has previously honoured David Bowie, Elton John and the Queen with coins, and will be available to purchase from Monday.

Late British singer-songwriter George Michael is being honoured with a personalised collectable coin. Britain's Royal Mint said on Monday the new coin, which depicts Michael wearing his trademark sunglasses, pays tribute to the music star's 1987 hit solo single "Faith".

Late British singer-songwriter George Michael is being honoured with a personalised collectable coin. Britain's Royal Mint said on Monday the new coin, which depicts Michael wearing his trademark sunglasses, pays tribute to the music star's 1987 hit solo single "Faith". Officially approved by Michael’s estate, it was designed by artist and sculptor Sandra Deiana. “From his debut with WHAM! to becoming one of the bestselling solo musicians of all time, George Michael is a global superstar whose work has inspired and influenced generations with his music and his unique style," said Rebecca Morgan, director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint. "Loved by millions of fans worldwide, we are delighted to be introducing an official UK coin celebrating his life and legacy," she said in a statement. Also read: Oppenheimer team hails solidarity during actor’s strike at SAG Awards 2024 Michael, who rose to stardom in the 1980s with Wham! before embarking on a successful solo career, died on Christmas Day in 2016 at the age of 53. Wham!'s enduring 1984 festive song "Last Christmas" finally secured the "Christmas Number 1" spot for the first time on the UK music charts in December, 39 years after its release. The new coin is the latest addition to the Royal Mint's "Music Legends" series, which has previously honoured David Bowie, Elton John and the Queen with coins, and will be available to purchase from Monday.

George Michael honoured with UK collectible coin

The piano John Lennon composed "Imagine" on returned on Tuesday (October 6) to the late Beatle's childhood home, thanks to George Michael's estate.

Lennon's 'Imagine' piano on loan from George Michael estate returns to Liverpool

Before Adele won the 2017 Grammy for Song of the Year for her&nbsp;hit&nbsp;&quot;Hello&quot;, the&nbsp;pop diva Adele&nbsp;startled the Grammy Awards by abruptly asking to start over during her tribute to the late George Michael -- the second straight year she has suffered an embarrassment due to technical issues. The chart-topping English balladeer was performing Michael&#39;s &quot;Fastlove&quot; when she used profanity -- bleeped out in the live telecast -- and asked to start again.

&quot;I know it&#39;s live TV, I&#39;m sorry. But I can&#39;t do it again like last year,&quot; she said. After a short hesitation, her back-up orchestra stopped and began the song again. The problem was not immediately clear.

Adele was tearful at the end of the performance but had the clear support from the audience of music A-listers, who gave her a standing ovation, and from supporters on social media.

Last year, Adele did not start over but her voice went painfully out of key. The Grammy organisers later revealed that the problem was caused when a microphone fell on the piano&#39;s strings.

It was the second performance Sunday night by Adele, who opened the telecast by singing her mega-hit &quot;Hello&quot; without incident.

(AFP)

The star accidentally swore performing in a tribute to the late George Michael, but she won the crowd back, and won the big Grammy too

Before Adele won the 2017 Grammy for Song of the Year for her hit "Hello", the pop diva Adele startled the Grammy Awards by abruptly asking to start over during her tribute to the late George Michael -- the second straight year she has suffered an embarrassment due to technical issues. The chart-topping English balladeer was performing Michael's "Fastlove" when she used profanity -- bleeped out in the live telecast -- and asked to start again. "I know it's live TV, I'm sorry. But I can't do it again like last year," she said. After a short hesitation, her back-up orchestra stopped and began the song again. The problem was not immediately clear. Adele was tearful at the end of the performance but had the clear support from the audience of music A-listers, who gave her a standing ovation, and from supporters on social media. Last year, Adele did not start over but her voice went painfully out of key. The Grammy organisers later revealed that the problem was caused when a microphone fell on the piano's strings. It was the second performance Sunday night by Adele, who opened the telecast by singing her mega-hit "Hello" without incident. (AFP)

Grammys 2017: Adele's 'Hello' wins Song of the Year

Some of the larger&nbsp;names to take home hardware at&nbsp;the 2017 Grammys include:&nbsp;Adele, Beyonce, Drake, and the late David Bowie, who won big&nbsp;his final album, Black Star.

&nbsp;

Here&#39;s the full list of winners:

Best Rock Album 
: Chance The Rapper, Coloring Book

Best Pop Vocal Album 
: Adele - 25 
Best Pop Solo Performance 
: Adele - Hello 
Best New Artist 
: Chance the Rapper 
Pop Duo/Group Performance 
: Stressed Out - Twenty One Pilots 
Best Country Album 
: Sturgill Simpson - A Sailor&#39;s Guide to Earth 
Best Country Solo Performance 
: Maren Morris, My Church 
Best Country Duo/Group Performance 
: Pentatonix - Jolene [ft. Dolly Parton] 
Best Country Song 
: Lori McKenna, songwriter (Tim McGraw) - Humble and Kind

Best Rock Album 
: Cage the Elephant - Tell Me I&#39;m Pretty 
Best Rock Performance 
: David Bowie - Blackstar 
Best Rock Song 
: Blackstar - David Bowie, songwriter (David Bowie) 
Best Alternative Music Album 
: David Bowie - Blackstar 
Best Metal Performance 
: Megadeth - Dystopia 
Best Rap Song 
: Aubrey Graham &amp; Paul Jefferies, songwriters (Drake) - Hotline Bling 
Best Rap Performance 
: Chance the Rapper No Problem [ft. Lil Wayne &amp; 2 Chainz] 
Best Rap/Sung Performance 
: Drake - Hotline Bling 
Best R&amp;B Album 
: Lalah Hathaway - Lalah Hathaway Live 
Best R&amp;B Song 
: Hod David &amp; Musze, songwriters (Maxwell) - Lake By the Ocean

Best R&amp;B Performance 
: Solange - Cranes in the Sky

Best Traditional R&amp;B Performance 
: Lalah Hathaway - Angel 
World Music Album 
: Sing Me Home - Yo-Yo Ma &amp; The Silk Road Ensemble 
Best Comedy Album 
: Patton Oswalt - Talking for Clapping 
Best Folk Album 
: Sarah Jarosz - Undercurrent 
Best Americana Album 
: William Bell - This Is Where I Live 
Best American Roots Song 
: Vince Gill, songwriter (The Time Jumpers) - Kid Sister 
Best American Roots Performance 
: Sarah Jarosz - House of Mercy

Best Regional Roots Music Album 
: Kalani Pe&#39;a - E Walea 
Best Bluegrass Album 
: O&#39;Connor Band With Mark O&#39;Connor - Coming Home 
Best Reggae Album 
: Ziggy Marley - Ziggy Marley 
Best Traditional Blues Album 
: Bobby Rush - Porcupine Meat

Best Contemporary Blues Album 
: Fantastic Negrito - The Last Days of Oakland 
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album 
: Snarky Puppy - Culcha Vulcha 
Best Dance Recording 
: The Chainsmokers Don&#39;t Let Me Down 
[ft. Daya] 
Best Dance/Electronic Album 
: Flume - Skin 
Best New Age Album 
: White Sun - White Sun II 
Best Improvised Jazz Solo 
: John Scofield, soloist - I&#39;m So Lonesome I Could Cry

Best Jazz Vocal Album 
: Gregory Porter - Take Me to the Alley 
Best Jazz Instrumental Album 
: John Scofield - Country for Old Men 
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album 
: Ted Nash Big Band - Presidential Suite: Eight Variations on Freedom 
Best Latin Jazz Album 
: Chucho Valdes - Tribute to Irakere: Live in Marciac 
Best Gospel Performance/Song 
: Tamela Mann; Kirk Franklin, songwriter - God Provides 
Best Gospel Album 
: Kirk Franklin - Losing My Religion 
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album 
: Hillary Scott &amp; the Scott Family - Love Remains 
Best Roots Gospel Album 
: JoeyRory - Hymns 
Best Latin Pop Album 
: Jesse &amp; Joy - Un Besito Mas 
Best Urban Contemporary Album 
: Beyonce, Lemonade 
Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album 
: iLe - iLevitable 
Best Regional Mexican Music Album 
: Vicente Fernandez - Un Azteca En El Azteca, Vol. 1 (En Vivo) 
Best Tropical Latin Album 
: Jose Lugo &amp; Guasabara Combo - Donde Estan? 
Best World Music Album 
: Yo-Yo Ma &amp; the Silk Road Ensemble - Sing Me Home 
Best Children&#39;s Album 
: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Infinity Plus One 
Best Instrumental Composition 
: Ted Nash, composer (Ted Nash Big Band) - Spoken at Midnight

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella 
: Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier) - You and I 
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals 
: Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier) - Flintstones 
Best Recording Package 
: Jonathan Barnbrook, art director (David Bowie) - Blackstar 
Best Remixed Recording 
: Andre Allen Anjos, remixer (Bob Moses) - Tearing Me Up (RAC Remix)

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical 
: Greg Kurstin 
Producer of the Year, Classical 
: David Frost 
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance 
: Steve Reich 
Best Music Video 
: Beyonce - Formation 
Best Music Film 
: The Beatles - The Beatles: Eight Days a Week the Touring Years 
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media 
: John Williams, composer - Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(WION)

Some of the stars to take home awards include Adele, Beyonce and Drake, but also the late legend David Bowie

Some of the larger names to take home hardware at the 2017 Grammys include: Adele, Beyonce, Drake, and the late David Bowie, who won big his final album, Black Star. Here's the full list of winners: Best Rock Album : Chance The Rapper, Coloring Book Best Pop Vocal Album : Adele - 25 Best Pop Solo Performance : Adele - Hello Best New Artist : Chance the Rapper Pop Duo/Group Performance : Stressed Out - Twenty One Pilots Best Country Album : Sturgill Simpson - A Sailor's Guide to Earth Best Country Solo Performance : Maren Morris, My Church Best Country Duo/Group Performance : Pentatonix - Jolene [ft. Dolly Parton] Best Country Song : Lori McKenna, songwriter (Tim McGraw) - Humble and Kind Best Rock Album : Cage the Elephant - Tell Me I'm Pretty Best Rock Performance : David Bowie - Blackstar Best Rock Song : Blackstar - David Bowie, songwriter (David Bowie) Best Alternative Music Album : David Bowie - Blackstar Best Metal Performance : Megadeth - Dystopia Best Rap Song : Aubrey Graham & Paul Jefferies, songwriters (Drake) - Hotline Bling Best Rap Performance : Chance the Rapper No Problem [ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz] Best Rap/Sung Performance : Drake - Hotline Bling Best R&B Album : Lalah Hathaway - Lalah Hathaway Live Best R&B Song : Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell) - Lake By the Ocean Best R&B Performance : Solange - Cranes in the Sky Best Traditional R&B Performance : Lalah Hathaway - Angel World Music Album : Sing Me Home - Yo-Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble Best Comedy Album : Patton Oswalt - Talking for Clapping Best Folk Album : Sarah Jarosz - Undercurrent Best Americana Album : William Bell - This Is Where I Live Best American Roots Song : Vince Gill, songwriter (The Time Jumpers) - Kid Sister Best American Roots Performance : Sarah Jarosz - House of Mercy Best Regional Roots Music Album : Kalani Pe'a - E Walea Best Bluegrass Album : O'Connor Band With Mark O'Connor - Coming Home Best Reggae Album : Ziggy Marley - Ziggy Marley Best Traditional Blues Album : Bobby Rush - Porcupine Meat Best Contemporary Blues Album : Fantastic Negrito - The Last Days of Oakland Best Contemporary Instrumental Album : Snarky Puppy - Culcha Vulcha Best Dance Recording : The Chainsmokers Don't Let Me Down [ft. Daya] Best Dance/Electronic Album : Flume - Skin Best New Age Album : White Sun - White Sun II Best Improvised Jazz Solo : John Scofield, soloist - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Best Jazz Vocal Album : Gregory Porter - Take Me to the Alley Best Jazz Instrumental Album : John Scofield - Country for Old Men Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album : Ted Nash Big Band - Presidential Suite: Eight Variations on Freedom Best Latin Jazz Album : Chucho Valdes - Tribute to Irakere: Live in Marciac Best Gospel Performance/Song : Tamela Mann; Kirk Franklin, songwriter - God Provides Best Gospel Album : Kirk Franklin - Losing My Religion Best Contemporary Christian Music Album : Hillary Scott & the Scott Family - Love Remains Best Roots Gospel Album : JoeyRory - Hymns Best Latin Pop Album : Jesse & Joy - Un Besito Mas Best Urban Contemporary Album : Beyonce, Lemonade Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album : iLe - iLevitable Best Regional Mexican Music Album : Vicente Fernandez - Un Azteca En El Azteca, Vol. 1 (En Vivo) Best Tropical Latin Album : Jose Lugo & Guasabara Combo - Donde Estan? Best World Music Album : Yo-Yo Ma & the Silk Road Ensemble - Sing Me Home Best Children's Album : Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Infinity Plus One Best Instrumental Composition : Ted Nash, composer (Ted Nash Big Band) - Spoken at Midnight Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella : Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier) - You and I Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals : Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier) - Flintstones Best Recording Package : Jonathan Barnbrook, art director (David Bowie) - Blackstar Best Remixed Recording : Andre Allen Anjos, remixer (Bob Moses) - Tearing Me Up (RAC Remix) Producer of the Year, Non-Classical : Greg Kurstin Producer of the Year, Classical : David Frost Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance : Steve Reich Best Music Video : Beyonce - Formation Best Music Film : The Beatles - The Beatles: Eight Days a Week the Touring Years Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media : John Williams, composer - Star Wars: The Force Awakens (WION)

Grammys 2017: Complete list of winners

A post-mortem examination on the body of pop icon George Michael, who died on Christmas Day after a chart-topping career and years of drug-taking, has proved &quot;inconclusive&quot;, police said on Friday.

&quot;The cause of death is inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out. The results of these tests are unlikely to be known for several weeks,&quot; a police statement said.

Police said earlier they were treating his death as &quot;unexplained but not suspicious&quot;. The post-mortem was carried out on Thursday.

Michael&#39;s partner Fadi Fawaz said he had found the star &quot;lying peacefully&quot; in bed at his home in the village of Goring on the River Thames west of London.

His manager Michael Lippman told Billboard magazine that the cause of death appeared to be heart failure.

Tributes have poured in all week from heartbroken fans leaving flowers, candles and emotional messages outside his homes in Goring and London.

Michael&#39;s family said Tuesday they were &quot;touched&quot; by the long line of tributes, including ones from Madonna and Elton John.

&quot;The family and close friends of George have been touched beyond words by the incredible outpouring of love for him in the hours and days since his death,&quot; the singer&#39;s publicist said in a statement.

&quot;Contrary to some reports, there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and from the bottom of our hearts we thank those who, rightly, have chosen to celebrate his life and legacy&quot;.

Quiet philanthropist

&quot;Last Christmas&quot;, one of Michael&#39;s best-selling singles from his time in the pop duo Wham!, returned to the British charts, the Official Charts Company said on Friday.

The festive hit climbed to number seven in the charts -- its first time in the top 10 sales since it was released 31 years ago.

The song has also become the second most streamed track of the week, with 3.6 million streams.

Michael notched up police cautions for cannabis and crack cocaine possession in his final years and in 2010 was sentenced to eight weeks in jail after crashing his 4x4 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 while on tour, later saying he had come close to death.

Stories about Michael&#39;s quiet philanthropy for children and HIV charities have been shared widely since his death, as well as a report of his anonymous &pound;15,000 (17,600 euro, $18,400) donation to a woman who could not conceive to get IVF treatment.

Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou to a Greek Cypriot father and English mother in north London in 1963, Michael shot to fame with the band Wham! and sold more than 100 million records in his career.

He met Andrew Ridgeley at high school and the pair went on to form Wham! in 1981.&nbsp;

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&#39;s biggest pop acts with a string of hits including &quot;Last Christmas&quot; and &quot;Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go&quot;.

Michael only revealed in public that he was gay in 1998 after being arrested by police in Los Angeles. He went on to become a major campaigner and donor for gay rights and HIV charities.

The star later said he had not wanted to come out while his mother was still alive because she would be concerned he had contracted HIV.

(AFP)

Police said earlier they were treating his death as 'unexplained but not suspicious'

A post-mortem examination on the body of pop icon George Michael, who died on Christmas Day after a chart-topping career and years of drug-taking, has proved "inconclusive", police said on Friday. "The cause of death is inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out. The results of these tests are unlikely to be known for several weeks," a police statement said. Police said earlier they were treating his death as "unexplained but not suspicious". The post-mortem was carried out on Thursday. Michael's partner Fadi Fawaz said he had found the star "lying peacefully" in bed at his home in the village of Goring on the River Thames west of London. His manager Michael Lippman told Billboard magazine that the cause of death appeared to be heart failure. Tributes have poured in all week from heartbroken fans leaving flowers, candles and emotional messages outside his homes in Goring and London. Michael's family said Tuesday they were "touched" by the long line of tributes, including ones from Madonna and Elton John. "The family and close friends of George have been touched beyond words by the incredible outpouring of love for him in the hours and days since his death," the singer's publicist said in a statement. "Contrary to some reports, there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and from the bottom of our hearts we thank those who, rightly, have chosen to celebrate his life and legacy". Quiet philanthropist "Last Christmas", one of Michael's best-selling singles from his time in the pop duo Wham!, returned to the British charts, the Official Charts Company said on Friday. The festive hit climbed to number seven in the charts -- its first time in the top 10 sales since it was released 31 years ago. The song has also become the second most streamed track of the week, with 3.6 million streams. Michael notched up police cautions for cannabis and crack cocaine possession in his final years and in 2010 was sentenced to eight weeks in jail after crashing his 4x4 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 while on tour, later saying he had come close to death. Stories about Michael's quiet philanthropy for children and HIV charities have been shared widely since his death, as well as a report of his anonymous £15,000 (17,600 euro, $18,400) donation to a woman who could not conceive to get IVF treatment. Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou to a Greek Cypriot father and English mother in north London in 1963, Michael shot to fame with the band Wham! and sold more than 100 million records in his career. He met Andrew 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 with a string of hits including "Last Christmas" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". Michael only revealed in public that he was gay in 1998 after being arrested by police in Los Angeles. He went on to become a major campaigner and donor for gay rights and HIV charities. The star later said he had not wanted to come out while his mother was still alive because she would be concerned he had contracted HIV. (AFP)

Post-mortem on George Michael 'inconclusive'

George Michael&#39;s death has been uniquely agonising in a year filled with a shocking amount of&nbsp;dying mega stars. At one time the biggest pop star in Britain, Michael&nbsp;sold more than 100 million records in his career. But he had&nbsp;a personal connection with many&nbsp;fans that stemmed from more&nbsp;than just music.

Michael is remembered and appreciated today for representing the LGBT community in the 80&#39;s and 90&#39;s, when doing so was much less fashionable and acceptable than it is today. He made countless people feel better about themselves in ways most of us will never understand.

Tributes of this nature were numerous and very touching&nbsp;though&nbsp;expected, but&nbsp;the world was taken by surprise as&nbsp;the full extent of his generosity and charitable giving came to light. More, he went to considerable lengths to avoid receiving public credit.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter I was volunteering at. I&#39;ve never told anyone, he asked we didn&#39;t. That&#39;s who he was
&mdash; EMILYNE MONDO (@EmilyneMondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmilyneMondo/status/813319244242817025">December 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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&nbsp;

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A woman on &#39;Deal Or No Deal&#39; told us she needed &pound;15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the &pound;15k.
&mdash; Richard Osman (@richardosman) <a href="https://twitter.com/richardosman/status/813306084295405568">December 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/george-michael-bought-john-lennon-piano-so-it-wouldnt-end-up-in-storage-a7496951.html">The Independent</a> reports that Michael anonymously paid 1.6 million pounds to purchase John Lennon&#39;s piano, so that it would be kept out of storage and be made available to the public. There are new stories of his intense altruism still being reported.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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George Michael &lsquo;quietly&rsquo; donated MILLIONS to charities <a href="https://t.co/cwu7IVE4MP">https://t.co/cwu7IVE4MP</a> <a href="https://t.co/a3LmMQBqxa">pic.twitter.com/a3LmMQBqxa</a>
&mdash; Are We All Asleep ? (@demindblower) <a href="https://twitter.com/demindblower/status/813644560844947456">December 27, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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George Michael wrote upbeat party songs with a light fun touch, but was emotionally vulnerable, and gave badly-needed strength to many through his art.

That he also gave away so much of his time and money, not to boost his image but purely to&nbsp;help&nbsp;people, speaks to who he was as a person. People are right to be wary of celebrity culture, with their hollow&nbsp;images contrived by PR consultants.&nbsp;

It&#39;s worth repeating that the celebrities we see on screens are total strangers to us, but it&#39;s impossible to read about what&nbsp;Michael&#39;s art meant to so many&nbsp;and all the things he did for people&nbsp;without feeling that this stranger was a very good person.

So&nbsp;news of his all generosity, coupled with the fact that the composer&nbsp;of the hit &quot;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI">Last Christmas</a>&quot;&nbsp;was found dead&nbsp;on&nbsp;Christmas Day, makes this death a standout&nbsp;in an awful year&nbsp;for truly talented and big-hearted musicians.

RIP, George Michael.

(WION)

The late British musician, who was found dead in his bed on Christmas day, spent years anonymously doing wonderful things for people

George Michael's death has been uniquely agonising in a year filled with a shocking amount of dying mega stars. At one time the biggest pop star in Britain, Michael sold more than 100 million records in his career. But he had a personal connection with many fans that stemmed from more than just music. Michael is remembered and appreciated today for representing the LGBT community in the 80's and 90's, when doing so was much less fashionable and acceptable than it is today. He made countless people feel better about themselves in ways most of us will never understand. Tributes of this nature were numerous and very touching though expected, but the world was taken by surprise as the full extent of his generosity and charitable giving came to light. More, he went to considerable lengths to avoid receiving public credit. George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter I was volunteering at. I've never told anyone, he asked we didn't. That's who he was — EMILYNE MONDO (@EmilyneMondo) December 26, 2016 × A woman on 'Deal Or No Deal' told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k. — Richard Osman (@richardosman) December 26, 2016 × The Independent reports that Michael anonymously paid 1.6 million pounds to purchase John Lennon's piano, so that it would be kept out of storage and be made available to the public. There are new stories of his intense altruism still being reported. George Michael ‘quietly’ donated MILLIONS to charities https://t.co/cwu7IVE4MP pic.twitter.com/a3LmMQBqxa — Are We All Asleep ? (@demindblower) December 27, 2016 × George Michael wrote upbeat party songs with a light fun touch, but was emotionally vulnerable, and gave badly-needed strength to many through his art. That he also gave away so much of his time and money, not to boost his image but purely to help people, speaks to who he was as a person. People are right to be wary of celebrity culture, with their hollow images contrived by PR consultants. It's worth repeating that the celebrities we see on screens are total strangers to us, but it's impossible to read about what Michael's art meant to so many and all the things he did for people without feeling that this stranger was a very good person. So news of his all generosity, coupled with the fact that the composer of the hit "Last Christmas" was found dead on Christmas Day, makes this death a standout in an awful year for truly talented and big-hearted musicians. RIP, George Michael. (WION)

George Michael: Quietly charitable pop star even more inspiring than people thought

Pop superstar George Michael concealed his homosexuality, as well as the trauma of his boyfriend&#39;s death, for years but later became a gay rights advocate and key supporter of HIV campaigns.

Michael, who died Sunday at 53, only came out as gay in 1998 -- nearly two decades into his career -- after being caught by police in a &quot;lewd act&quot; in a public bathroom in a park in Los Angeles.

His sexuality was by then an open secret in show business but Michael said he did not go public so as not to worry his mother because of fears about the AIDS virus in the gay community at the time.

&quot;Understand how much I love my family and that AIDS was a predominant feature of being gay in the 1980s and early 1990s as far as any parent was concerned,&quot; he told BBC Radio in an interview in 2007.

&quot;My mother was still alive and every single day would have been a nightmare for her thinking what I might have been subjected to,&quot; explained Michael.

Initially confused about his sexuality, Michael said he realised he was gay by the end of the 1980s.

&#39;Fearful period to be gay&#39;

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said that concern for his mother may not have been the only reason Michael chose not to come out.

&quot;Back then, the red tops were vicious to gay public figures,&quot; he said, referring to popular tabloid papers like the News of the World and The Sun.

&quot;They were vilified and smeared. Being gay was portrayed as a scandal and shame.&quot;&nbsp;

Tatchell said the explosion of AIDS led to a sharp rise in homophobic public attitudes.

&quot;Gay-bashings and murders rocketed. It was a fearful period to be gay, let alone a gay public figure.

&quot;I wish George had come out then. He could have helped counter that tide of prejudice. But I understand why he didn&#39;t,&quot; he said.

First love

At a concert in Rio de Janeiro in 1991, Michael met Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer who became his first love.

&quot;It&#39;s very hard to be proud of your sexuality when it hasn&#39;t given you any joy, but once you have found somebody you really love it&#39;s not so tough,&quot; Michael told the Huffington Post in an interview.

Six months into the relationship, they discovered Feleppa was HIV-positive -- a devastating blow for Michael.

&quot;I couldn&#39;t go through it with my family because I didn&#39;t know how to share it with them &ndash;- they didn&#39;t even know I was gay,&quot; he said.

Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage in 1993.

Whenever performing the single &quot;Jesus To A Child&quot; from the album &quot;Older&quot; (1996), Michael dedicated it to Feleppa and the singer later said the entire album was a tribute to his late partner.

&quot;Heaven sent/ And Heaven stole/ You smiled at me/ Like Jesus to a child,&quot; Michael sings.&nbsp;

&#39;Live on in the hearts&#39;

Michael later told the BBC his arrest in 1998 may have been &quot;a subconsciously deliberate act&quot; to out himself and said he wished he had gone public sooner.

&quot;I don&#39;t think I would have had the same career &ndash;- my ego might not have been satisfied in some areas &ndash;- but I think I would have been a happier man,&quot; he said.

The same year that he came out as gay, Michael began his public activism by helping with a documentary about six young people affected by the HIV virus to coincide with World Aids Day.

As part of his philanthropy -- much of it under the radar -- he was also a major supporter of the Terrence Higgins Trust, a British HIV charity.

&quot;His donations contributed to a vision of a world where people living with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination,&quot; the charity said in a Facebook post on Monday.

The gay rights group Stonewall said on Twitter: &quot;You inspired many and your music will live on in the hearts of the community. You will be sorely missed&quot;.

(AFP)

Michael, who died Sunday at 53, only came out as gay in 1998, nearly two decades into his career

Pop superstar George Michael concealed his homosexuality, as well as the trauma of his boyfriend's death, for years but later became a gay rights advocate and key supporter of HIV campaigns. Michael, who died Sunday at 53, only came out as gay in 1998 -- nearly two decades into his career -- after being caught by police in a "lewd act" in a public bathroom in a park in Los Angeles. His sexuality was by then an open secret in show business but Michael said he did not go public so as not to worry his mother because of fears about the AIDS virus in the gay community at the time. "Understand how much I love my family and that AIDS was a predominant feature of being gay in the 1980s and early 1990s as far as any parent was concerned," he told BBC Radio in an interview in 2007. "My mother was still alive and every single day would have been a nightmare for her thinking what I might have been subjected to," explained Michael. Initially confused about his sexuality, Michael said he realised he was gay by the end of the 1980s. 'Fearful period to be gay' Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said that concern for his mother may not have been the only reason Michael chose not to come out. "Back then, the red tops were vicious to gay public figures," he said, referring to popular tabloid papers like the News of the World and The Sun. "They were vilified and smeared. Being gay was portrayed as a scandal and shame." Tatchell said the explosion of AIDS led to a sharp rise in homophobic public attitudes. "Gay-bashings and murders rocketed. It was a fearful period to be gay, let alone a gay public figure. "I wish George had come out then. He could have helped counter that tide of prejudice. But I understand why he didn't," he said. First love At a concert in Rio de Janeiro in 1991, Michael met Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer who became his first love. "It's very hard to be proud of your sexuality when it hasn't given you any joy, but once you have found somebody you really love it's not so tough," Michael told the Huffington Post in an interview. Six months into the relationship, they discovered Feleppa was HIV-positive -- a devastating blow for Michael. "I couldn't go through it with my family because I didn't know how to share it with them –- they didn't even know I was gay," he said. Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage in 1993. Whenever performing the single "Jesus To A Child" from the album "Older" (1996), Michael dedicated it to Feleppa and the singer later said the entire album was a tribute to his late partner. "Heaven sent/ And Heaven stole/ You smiled at me/ Like Jesus to a child," Michael sings. 'Live on in the hearts' Michael later told the BBC his arrest in 1998 may have been "a subconsciously deliberate act" to out himself and said he wished he had gone public sooner. "I don't think I would have had the same career –- my ego might not have been satisfied in some areas –- but I think I would have been a happier man," he said. The same year that he came out as gay, Michael began his public activism by helping with a documentary about six young people affected by the HIV virus to coincide with World Aids Day. As part of his philanthropy -- much of it under the radar -- he was also a major supporter of the Terrence Higgins Trust, a British HIV charity. "His donations contributed to a vision of a world where people living with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination," the charity said in a Facebook post on Monday. The gay rights group Stonewall said on Twitter: "You inspired many and your music will live on in the hearts of the community. You will be sorely missed". (AFP)

George Michael: From closeted life to gay rights advocate

British pop icon George Michael died aged 53 at his home in Oxfordshire, his publicist said on Sunday.&nbsp;

&quot;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,&quot; the publicist said in a statement.

Thames Valley police said an ambulance service had attended Michael&#39;s property at 1342 GMT on Sunday and a 53-year-old man was found dead on the scene.&nbsp;

&quot;At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course,&quot; the police said.

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<h5>Madonna posted a video of herself presenting Michael with an award and wrote:&nbsp;&quot;Farewell my Friend! Another Great Artist leaves us.&quot;</h5>
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Michael rose to fame with the band Wham with his school friend Andrew Ridgeley, before he went solo in 1986, producing his best known hits &quot;Last Christmas&quot;, &quot;Freedom&quot;, &quot;Careless Whisper&quot; and &quot;Wake Me Up Before You Go Go&quot;.&nbsp;

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George Michael (R) and Andrew Ridgeley of pop group Wham! (Getty)
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In a career spanning over three decades, he sold more than 100 million albums.&nbsp;

He was due to release a documentary in 2017, and was also working with producer and songwriter Naughty Boy aka Shahid Khan to release a new album next year.&nbsp;

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Singer George Michael performs at Mediolanum Forum on November 11, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Getty)
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He was a two-time Grammie winner and three Brits.&nbsp;

&#39;Talented soul&#39;

Singer Elton John posted a picture of himself with Michael on Instagram with a caption: &quot;I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist.&quot;

Madonna posted a video of herself presenting Michael with an award and wrote:&nbsp;&quot;Farewell my Friend! Another Great Artist leaves us.&quot;

Duran Duran, Michael&#39;s contemporary in the 1980&#39;s posted on the official Twitter account, &quot;2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to George Michael&#39;s family.&quot;

Messages for the pop star also poured from outside the music faternity with Star Trek actor George Takei paying tribute by remembering his greatest hits: &quot;Rest with the glittering stars, George Michael.You&#39;ve found your Freedom, your Faith. It was your Last Christmas, and we shall miss you.&quot;

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British singer George Michael performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. (AFP)
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Drug charges, health scares

After years of speculation, Michael came out as gay in 1998 after being arrested for committing a lewd act in the public toilet of a Los Angeles park.

This was a first of the many incidents casting a shadow over his music career.&nbsp;

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Singers George Michael (L) and Sir Paul McCartney perform on stage at &#39;Live 8 London&#39; in Hyde Park on July 2, 2005 in London, England. (Getty)
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He dabbled in cannabis and crack cocaine 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 weeks in hospital in Vienna suffering from pneimonia and came close to dying.&nbsp;

His last album &quot;Symphonica&quot; released in 2014, topped the charts.&nbsp;

Music legends like David Bowie, Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt, Prince and Leonard Cohen also died in 2016.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

'At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course,' police said

British pop icon George Michael died aged 53 at his home in Oxfordshire, his publicist said on Sunday. "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 publicist said in a statement. Thames Valley police said an ambulance service had attended Michael's property at 1342 GMT on Sunday and a 53-year-old man was found dead on 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. Madonna posted a video of herself presenting Michael with an award and wrote: "Farewell my Friend! Another Great Artist leaves us." × Michael rose to fame with the band Wham with his school friend Andrew Ridgeley, before he went solo in 1986, producing his best known hits "Last Christmas", "Freedom", "Careless Whisper" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go". George Michael (R) and Andrew Ridgeley of pop group Wham! (Getty) × In a career spanning over three decades, he sold more than 100 million albums. He was due to release a documentary in 2017, and was also working with producer and songwriter Naughty Boy aka Shahid Khan to release a new album next year. Singer George Michael performs at Mediolanum Forum on November 11, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Getty) × He was a two-time Grammie winner and three Brits. 'Talented soul' Singer Elton John posted a picture of himself with Michael on Instagram with a caption: "I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist." Madonna posted a video of herself presenting Michael with an award and wrote: "Farewell my Friend! Another Great Artist leaves us." Duran Duran, Michael's contemporary in the 1980's posted on the official Twitter account, "2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to George Michael's family." Messages for the pop star also poured from outside the music faternity with Star Trek actor George Takei paying tribute by remembering his greatest hits: "Rest with the glittering stars, George Michael.You've found your Freedom, your Faith. It was your Last Christmas, and we shall miss you." British singer George Michael performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. (AFP) × Drug charges, health scares After years of speculation, Michael came out as gay in 1998 after being arrested for committing a lewd act in the public toilet of a Los Angeles park. This was a first of the many incidents casting a shadow over his music career. Singers George Michael (L) and Sir Paul McCartney perform on stage at 'Live 8 London' in Hyde Park on July 2, 2005 in London, England. (Getty) × He dabbled in cannabis and crack cocaine 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 weeks in hospital in Vienna suffering from pneimonia and came close to dying. His last album "Symphonica" released in 2014, topped the charts. Music legends like David Bowie, Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt, Prince and Leonard Cohen also died in 2016. (WION with inputs from AFP)

British pop star George Michael dies at 53

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