Pop superstar George Michael has died of suspected heart failure at the age of 53.

Michael, who shot to fame as the front man of Wham! in the 1980s, died peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire, his publicist said.

His manager Michael Lippman said the cause of his death was heart failure, according to the Associated Press.

Image: George Michael rose to fame with the band Wham! and sold more than 100 million albums in his career. Here he performs at Wembley in 2007 Image: George Michael formed Wham! with school friend Andrew Ridgeley. Here they are pictured in 1984 Image: Pictured arriving at Heathrow in August 1984 Image: He was one of the stars of Live Aid in 1985 Image: With backing singers Pepsi & Shirlie (Helen DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman) in 1984 Image: Wham! enjoyed a string of hits, including Last Christmas, Club Tropicana, Young Guns (Go For It) Image: But they pulled the plug on their partnership while still at the top, ending with triumphant shows at Wembley Image: Michael went on to enjoy a massively successful solo career. Here he is with Princess Diana in 1993 when he performed in a concert to mark World AIDS Day... Image: ...and four years later at Princess Diana's funeral with his good friend Elton John Image: In 1998, Michael was arrested in public toilets in Beverly Hills for engaging in a lewd act Image: He continued to perform. Here he is with Luciano Pavarotti and Annie Lennox in 2000 Image: ... and with Paul McCartney in Hyde Park in London in 2005 Image: Michael was in court again in 2007 after being found slumped over the wheel of his car on drugs Image: In 2010, he received an eight-week prison sentence for crashing his Range Rover into a shop whilst on drugs Image: Michael continued to perform on stage and maintained a huge fanbase. Here he is in 2011 Image: ...and again performing in 2012 /

Thames Valley Police said officers were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2pm on Christmas Day.

The force said: "Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene.


"At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

"A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course."

George Michael in the original, and best, Carpool Karaoke

Michael'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.

"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time."

Michael - whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - had hits including Club Tropicana, I'm Your Man, Freedom and Last Christmas as a part of Wham!

As a solo artist his UK number ones included Careless Whisper, Jesus To A Child and Fastlove.

He sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades.

In loving memory: Fans' tributes to George Michael

People reacted with shock on social media, with his former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley leading tributes.

He tweeted: "Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx"

Sir Elton John said he was "in deep shock" at Michael's death.

The pair famously collaborated on a rendition of Elton's classic Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, released in 1992.

Writing on Instagram, Sir Elton said: "I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist.

"My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans."

"All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael's family."

I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family, friends and all of his fans. @GeorgeMichael #RIP A photo posted by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Dec 25, 2016 at 3:24pm PST

As well as being known for his musical talent, Michael had a turbulent personal life and brushes with the law and tales of drug use saw him hit the headlines.

Michael nearly died from pneumonia in late 2011.

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

Image: Michael performs on stage in 2012

Behind the headlines, Michael quietly gave huge sums to charity, including all the royalties from the 1996 number one Jesus to a Child.

Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen said he had given "millions" and "no one outside the charity knew how much he had given the nation's most vulnerable children".

Michael's 1990 album Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 had been set to be reissued.

It was due to be accompanied by a new film featuring Stevie Wonder, Sir Elton and the supermodels who starred in the video to his hit single Freedom! '90.

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