George Michael is dead

Famed British singer, George Michael, has died at the age of 53.

The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and continued his success as a solo performer, is said to have "passed away peacefully at home" in Goring, Oxfordshire.

According to the BBC, Thames Valley Police say they are treating the death as unexplained but there were no suspicious circumstances.

His former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was "heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend".

Michael, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in north London, sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades.

He first found fame with his schoolfriend Ridgeley in duo Wham! - reaching number one in the UK singles charts on four occasions - before going on to release solo albums, including the multi-million selling Faith in 1987.

SOURCE: BBC