Pop superstar George Michael has died peacefully at home on Christmas Day at the age of 53 from suspected heart failure.

The singer, who was set to release a documentary in 2017 about his life, rose to fame as a member of Wham! before establishing himself as a solo icon of modern pop.

Michael - whose real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades.

100m The number of albums sold worldwide by George Michael.

7 George Michael's UK number one albums.

7 George Michael's UK number one singles.

The singer's publicist confirmed his death on behalf of his family.

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. George Michael's publicist

His manager Michael Lippman later said the cause of death was heart failure.

Police had earlier described the singer's death as "unexplained but not suspicious".

Thames Valley Police said officers were called to the address in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, shortly before 2pm on Sunday and said his death was confirmed at the house.

The star enjoyed a succession of hit singles in his career, first with Wham! and then as a solo artist, including Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Last Christmas, Careless Whisper, Faith and Freedom! 90.

He lived a turbulent life away from the spotlight and nearly died from pneumonia in late 2011.

After receiving treatment in a Vienna hospital, he made a tearful appearance outside his London home and said it had been "touch and go" whether he lived.

Doctors had performed a tracheotomy to keep his airways open and he was unconscious for some of his spell in hospital.

George Michael, seen performing in 2006, sold more than 100 million albums throughout his career. Credit: PA

His death comes as he was reissuing one of his landmark solo albums and preparing for a documentary about his life.

Michael's 1990 album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 had been set to be reissued accompanied by a new film featuring Stevie Wonder, Elton John and the supermodels who starred in the video to Freedom! '90.

The movie, with the working title Freedom: George Michael, was to be narrated by Michael and set to feature Mark Ronson, Mary J Blige, Tony Bennett, Liam Gallagher, James Corden and Ricky Gervais.