Grieving fans have mourned the death of George Michael as British charities revealed the pop star had secretly been a major behind-the-scenes donor.

The man with the reputation for self-indulgence had actually given millions of pounds to charities involved with helping children, cancer victims and AIDS sufferers. He was also remembered for small acts of kindness: helping his village in north London get a Christmas tree, and volunteering at a homeless shelter.

The singer-songwriter, who was set to release a documentary in 2017, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Day. His death is being treated as “unexplained but not suspicious” by police.

Michael has been praised for his work as a prominent gay rights campaigner, with some of his most famous solo work referencing his sexuality.

George Michael: a life in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 George Michael: a life in pictures George Michael: a life in pictures 1982 Wham perform at the Hammersmith Odeon Rex George Michael: a life in pictures 1983 George Micheal and Andrew Ridley perform in concert in June 1983 Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1984 May 1984 Exclusive Photocall with Wham When Their Song 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-go' Hit Number One in the Charts at Bbc Tv Centre George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1985 Ivor Novello Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, George Michael (songwriter of the Year) and Andrew Ridgeley Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1985 Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael in Tiananmen Square, during their WHAM! in China tour in 1985 Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1986 rank Bruno Boxer 1986 George Michael And Frank Bruno. British And European Heavyweight Champion Frank Bruno Flew Off For A Winning Weekend In Las Vegas Yesterday And Found Himself Sitting Next To George Michael The Wham! Star. Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1986 George Michael is presented with an award by Elton John during the 1986 Brit Awards Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1986 George Michael and Freddie Mercury during a Queen party at the Groucho Club Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1991 WHAM! reunited during the "Rock in Rio" concert in Rio de Janeiro Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1993 George Michael appears outside the high court, a case where micheal fought Sony Music for failing to promote his albumn "Listen without prejudice Vol.1" Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1995 David Frost interviewed George Michael following his Sony contract dispute Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1997 The pop star was visibly moved during the funeral of Princess Diana Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 1998 Michael gave a press conference ahead of his public service for aids charity "Angel Food" following his conviction for engaging in a sex act in a public toilet Rex Features George Michael: a life in pictures 2004 George Michael poses at the Sunset Virgin Megastore where he made an apperance to sign copies of his new CD 'Patience' Getty George Michael: a life in pictures 2005 George Michael poses during the photocall of his documentary film 'George Michael - A different Story' by Southan Morris during the 55th Berlin Film Festival Getty George Michael: a life in pictures 2005 Musicians Pete Townhsend from The Who, George Michael and David Gilmour from Pink Floyd perform 'Hey Jude' with children on stage at the finale of 'Live 8 London' in Hyde Park Getty George Michael: a life in pictures 2007 George Michael arrives at Brent Magistrates Court in west London as he faces charges of driving while unfit through drugs. The former Wham! star's legal team had hoped he could be absent from the trial but he was ordered by District Judge Katherine Marshall to appear on the first day Getty George Michael: a life in pictures 2007 George Michael performs the first concert at the newly rebuilt Wembley Stadium Getty George Michael: a life in pictures 2011 George Michael speaks to the media during a press conference at the Royal Opera House, central London on May 11, 2011. The event was to announce his 'Symphonica' European tour which is set to visit historic venues such as Prague's State Opera House, Paris' Palais Garnier and London's Royal Opera House Getty George Michael: a life in pictures 2012 George Michael performs during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium Getty

Childline founder Esther Rantzen said Michael gave royalties from his 1996 hit “Jesus To A Child” to the charity along with many other donations.

“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 hundreds of thousands of children he helped,” she said.

She said Michael was determined that no one outside the charity should know “how much he gave to the nation’s most vulnerable children.”

Emilyne Mondo told how Michael had requested fellow volunteers at a homeless shelter keep it secret that he helped out there.

She tweeted: “George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter I was volunteering at. I’ve never told anyone, he asked we didn’t. That’s who he was.”

Big names from the world of entertainment have paid tribute to him after hearing about his death, which comes in a year that has seen the music industry lose some of its biggest stars including Prince, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen.

Sir Elton John posted a photograph of himself and Michael on Instagram, writing: “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 and all of his fans.”

Michael’s former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was “heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog” – a nickname which refers to “Yours Only George”.

He said: “Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx”

Friend Madonna paid her own tribute, posting an undated video on Twitter in which she embraced Michael on stage. In it she tells the audience: "He’s a great songwriter and he makes very classy videos, like me."

Referencing several of his best known lyrics, she adds: “George, I want your sex, so be my father figure and I will have faith if we have to live hand-to-mouth. The diva himself.”

Music mogul and X Factor boss Simon Cowell tweeted that the singer was “always one of the greatest”.

Singer and former Pop Idol star Gareth Gates recalled meeting Michael, writing on Twitter: "Such a sad day. We lose another legend. I met George Michael a couple of times. He was such a lovely man, and what a talent. Rest in peace x."

Michael rose to fame as part of the pop duo Wham!, known for the 1980s hits “Club Tropicana“ and “Last Christmas”.

The star whose real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career which spanned almost four decades.

“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,” a statement from Michael's publicist said.

"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."

Thames Valley Police, who are investigating the death of George Michael, said officers were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, shortly before 2pm on Christmas Day: “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.”

Michael 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.

Meanwhile, 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 his hit single “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.

The record was his second solo album, after the hugely successful Faith, and was arranged produced and almost entirely written by Michael, but did not feature him on the album cover.