George Michael's Last Christmas - cause of star's tragic death on December 25 aged 53
It's not Christmas unless Last Christmas by Wham! is playing. Tonight, the BBC will air a trio of programme for fans of the band, to celebrate 40 years since the release of the classic festive hit. However, eight years ago, on Christmas Day, fans were left devastated by the tragic news of the death of George Michael. In March 2017, it was revealed that the star had died from natural causes. The popstar passed away from a damaged liver and weakened heart, a coroner said at the time.
"Inquiries into the death of George Michael have been concluded and the final post-mortem report received," announced Darren Salter, senior coroner for Oxfordshire, at the time. "As there is a confirmed natural cause of death, being dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver, the investigation is being discontinued and there is no need for an inquest or any further enquiries."
George was found dead in his bed by boyfriend Fadi Fawaz on Christmas Day eight years ago and the post-mortem was deemed "inconclusive" by Thames Valley Police, adding at the time his death was "still being treated as unexplained but not suspicious".
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In a statement at the time, the star's publicist had 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.
"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."
Fadi then broke his silence during the heartbreaking time, taking to social media to share his feelings. "It's a xmas I will never forget finding your partner dead peacefully in bed first thing in the morning..,(sic)" the celebrity hairdresser wrote on X, which was known as Twitter at the time. "I will never stop missing you xx."
Since then, George was been honoured by family, friends and fans alike, with both Adele and Chris Martin performing tributes at the Grammy and Brit Awards. Much of the focus has been on his generous and kind-hearted personality, with many people coming forward to share charitable stories about the performer.
The popstar secretly donated millions to charities such as Childline, the Terrence Higgins Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. While in one case, the hit-maker donated thousands of pounds to a gameshow contestant so that she could afford IVF treatment.
George was was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in 1963, forming Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. The singer then went on to sell more than 100 million albums throughout his career, leaving the band in 1986 to become a highly successful solo artist.
