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The Wham! singer "died peacefully" at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxon.

It is believed he died from heart failure, according to a statement from his manager Michael Lippman.

The world-famous singer — whose real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou — sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades.

In a statement, the 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. There will be no further comment at this stage."

Sir Elton John led emotional tributes to the star online.

It caps off an extraordinary year of celebrity deaths, which include David Bowie's passing in January. Yesterday, Status Quo frontman Rick Parfitt died at the age of 68.

The last pictures of the superstar are believed to have been taken at a restaurant in Oxfordshire on September 14.

(Image: GETTY) (Image: GETTY)

Thames Valley Police, who are investigating the death, said officers were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2pm on Christmas Day.

A spokesman 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."

The musician, who was born in east Finchley, north London, was named the most-played artist on British radio during the period 1984–2004.

(Image: GETTY)

Michael — best known for the hit album Faith in 1987 — suffered from pneumonia in late 2011.

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

Wham's biggest hits include Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Freedom, I'm Your Man and Last Christmas.

Michael went on to top the charts with songs including Jesus To A Child and Fastlove as a solo artist.

(Image: GETTY)

Michael, who was openly gay, contemplated suicide in 1997 after his mum's death.

Only the support of his then partner Kenny Goss saved him during one of his lowest ebbs.

In April 1998 he was arrested in a Beverley Hills public toilet by an undercover cop and charged with engaging in a lewd act.

He was fined and sentenced to 80 hours community service.

That brush with the law forced him to go public about his sexuality and his relationship with Goss.

The songwriter's private life continued to dominate the headlines — even when he set off on his first live tour in 15 years in 2006.

In July of that year the News of the World printed allegations he had been carrying out sexual activity on London’s Hampstead Heath.

The gay poster boy later admitted he often went out at night seeking “anonymous and no-strings sex”.

Around 2009 Michael split with Texan art dealer Goss but he only announced the news two years later just before the start of concert in Prague, Czech Republic.

“In truth Kenny and I haven’t been together for two and a half years,” he said at the time.However last month it was reported the pair had rekindled their friendship.

A close friend told The Sun: “George and Kenny are back spending time together again.”The pair had first got together in 1996.

(Image: GETTY)

The star earned more than £50million between the years 2006 and 2008 alone, according to reports.

It came after he released Twenty Five, his second greatest hits album, which topped the charts in late 2006.

He since went on to tour Europe and North America.

But in 2013, he was involved in a car crash when a vehicle he was travelling in spun out of control.

An air ambulance rushed him to a London specialist trauma centre.

Michael spent two weeks in hospital recovering from his injuries.