Fans of singer and 80s pop icon George Michael woke to the devastating news this morning that he has died over the Christmas period - and are now sharing his extraordinary stories.

The star's publicist made a statement at 11pm on Christmas Day, revealing that he had passed away "peacefully at home" aged just 53.

Tributes immediately began to pour in from celebrities and fans around the world, but with them came amazing memories of George from across his lifetime.

It's been revealed that George Michael was an incredible and humble philanthropist behind his stage persona.

Here are just some of the tales emerging about the superstar today - plus some we already knew.

If you have any to add, leave them in the comments section below or email yourmirror@mirror.co.uk.

1. Anonymously donated £15k for a woman's IVF treatment

Among them was the incredible tale from Pointless presenter Richard Osman that the star had anonymously donated £15,000 to a woman who couldn't afford IVF.

(Image: Getty)

Osman, who used to work as an executive producer on Deal or No Deal, shared the story on Twitter, saying: "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."

But that's not the only tale of his random acts of kindness emerging after his death.

2. Donated £25k to a stranger in debt

Replying to Richard Osman's story, one person said George Michael had once been seen in a cafe helping out a stranger who was crying because she was in debt.

Not wanting her to know he was helping, he gave the waitress a cheque for £25,000 to give to her after he left.

3. Secretly volunteered at homeless shelter

It has also emerged that George Michael was anonymously volunteering at a homeless shelter, and had asked other volunteers to keep it a secret.

(Image: Rex Features)

One revealed it after his death to show what a true philanthropist the man was.

4. Anonymously donated millions to Childline

Childline's founder and president Dame Esther Rantzen told the Press Association: "For years now he has been the most extraordinarily generous philanthropist, giving money to Childline, but he was determined not to make his generosity public so no-one outside the charity knew how much he gave to the nation's most vulnerable children.

(Image: Getty)

"Over the years he gave us millions and we were planning next year, as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations to create, we hoped, a big concert in tribute to him - to his artistry, to his wonderful musicality but also to thank him for the 100s of 1,000s of children he helped through supporting Childline."

5. Kept small charities afloat

One woman tweeted to say she had once spoken to someone from a charity who said they were "only afloat" because of George Michael.

6. Supported NHS nurses

In 2006, George held a special free concert for NHS nurses to attend in north London.

He announced he would be hosting the event as a special thank you to the nurses who had cared for his late mother.

(Image: Daily Mirror)

At the time, nurses who attended spoke to the BBC about how it made them feel.

Susan Steadman said: "He made all of us feel special. People do say thank you, but for George to say it publicly feels good."

Ranjani Kendrick said: "I had the time of my life. It was such a vibrant atmosphere. I thank George Michael for making us feel appreciated.

"We all were so touched by the comments he made. I am glad the work we do has not gone unnoticed."

He's since given free seats away to NHS nurses at other concerts.

7. Tipped barmaid £5k

Writer Sali Hughes revealed today that the anonymous celebrity she talked about in one of her pieces was actually George Michael.

She revealed how he had tipped a barmaid £5,000 because she was a student nurse and she was in debt.

8. Sent hundreds of kids to Lapland

After reading this article, Sue Clark from Sunderland got in touch to tell Mirror Online how George Michael paid for her to go to Lapland with her family 20 years ago.

He also reportedly paid for hundreds of other children to go on the trip.

(Image: Duncan Raban)

Sue told Mirror Online: "He didn't want anyone to know or any publicity. An extremely kind man.

"Thanks, George, for the wonderful memories of Lapland. You will be remembered for your kindness and thoughtfulness as well as your music."

9. Donated his royalties

George Michael donated all the royalties from his 1996 number one single Jesus To a Child to charity.

He performed on Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas.

(Image: Getty)

Michael also donated the royalties from Last Christmas/Everything She Wants to Ethiopian famine relief, and proceeds from Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me went to Aids hospice London Lighthouse and the Rainbow Trust children's charity.

10. Saved John Lennon's piano

In the year 2000, George Michael bought John Lennon's piano - on which he composed 'Imagine' - for £1.45million from a private collector, vowing to keep it in the UK.

He then donated it to the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool so that it could be kept in Lennon's hometown forever.

Fans are marvelling at how he kept all of these acts of kindness quiet during his lifetime.

Some are being brought to tears, while others are expressing that it's a mark of the man he was.

Do you have a story to tell about George Michael? E-mail yourmirror@mirror.co.uk.