{"id":279666,"date":"2016-12-26T07:44:54","date_gmt":"2016-12-26T07:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=279666"},"modified":"2016-12-26T07:44:54","modified_gmt":"2016-12-26T07:44:54","slug":"george-michael-pop-superstar-dies-at-53","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/12\/george-michael-pop-superstar-dies-at-53\/","title":{"rendered":"George Michael: Pop superstar dies at 53"},"content":{"rendered":"

Singer George Michael has died at his home at the age of 53.<\/p>\n

The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and had huge success as a solo performer, “passed away peacefully” on Christmas Day in Goring, Oxfordshire, his publicist said.<\/p>\n

Thames Valley Police say they are treating the death as unexplained but there were no suspicious circumstances.<\/p>\n

Former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was “heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend”.<\/p>\n

Writing on Twitter and referring to Michael as “Yog”, a nickname for “Yours Only George”, he added: “Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx”<\/p>\n

\"AndrewImage copyright<\/span>TWITTER<\/span><\/span><\/figure>\n

On Instagram, Sir Elton John posted a photograph of himself with Michael, 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.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Michael’s family announced news of his death in a statement issued through the singer’s publicist.<\/p>\n

“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,” it said.<\/p>\n

“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”<\/p>\n

South Central Ambulance Service had been called to Michael’s property at 13:42 GMT.<\/p>\n

Thames Valley Police said its officers also attended and Michael was confirmed dead at the scene.<\/p>\n

They added: “At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course. There will be no further updates from Thames Valley Police until the post-mortem has taken place.”<\/p>\n

His manager, Michael Lippman, gave the cause of death as heart failure.<\/p>\n

A small heart wreath and a rose are among the tributes that have begun to be left outside the front door of Michael’s home, a detached property by the River Thames.<\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Singer George Michael has died at his home at the age of 53. The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and had huge success as a solo performer, “passed away peacefully” on Christmas Day in Goring, Oxfordshire, his publicist said. Thames Valley Police say they are treating the death as unexplained […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":279668,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[137],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nGeorge Michael: Pop superstar dies at 53 - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. 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