George Michael News

This note is posted on the official site:

My Dear Fans,

As usual I am overwhelmed by the support and genuine concern that so many of you around the world have expressed in recent weeks. I want to thank you all sincerely, and also to reassure those of you who worry so much for me. I fully appreciate the seriousness of my current situation, for which I truly apologise.

You will understand that it would be wrong of me to go into details before the court case has ended but I feel you should know that on the day after the incident I checked in to a clinic for a 14 day detox program here in London, which has been followed by ongoing outpatient drug counselling several times a week. Personal problems which I had tried to deal with myself had clearly got the better of me, and I am sorry that my pride has prevented me from seeking help before now.

I would also like to express my thanks to those whose discretion allowed me to begin this process in private, which has helped me greatly.

With love and my apologies,
George Michael

Here are additional articles on George Michael’s court appearance:

• George Michael Faces Jail For Drug Driving
• George Michael pleads guilty to drug offenses
• George Michael, arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court

From George Michael pleads guilty to drug offenses:

 The multimillion-selling singer was warned Tuesday that he may face jail time after driving his car into a London photo shop while under the influence of drugs. …

The car’s engine was still running when police arrived, but Michael had to be roused, police said. They described Michael as appearing “spaced out.”

“Mr. Michael looked at the officer with his eyes wide open and the officers could see his pupils were dilated,” said prosecutor Penny Fergusson. “They opened the door and could see he was dripping with sweat.”

Prosecutors said Michael acknowledged smoking marijuana and taking a prescription sedative.

The former Wham! lead singer, booked under his real name of Georgios Panayiotou, spoke only to confirm his identity and plead guilty to driving while unfit.

Judge Robin McPhee banned Michael from driving for six months, and warned he could face jail time when he is sentenced Sept. 14.

“It is a serious matter. Your driving was extremely poor and there was an accident,” McPhee said, adding that Michael has already had one conviction. “I make it clear all options in respect of sentencing remain open, including powers to imprison.”

Tony Parsons, the author of Bare (Amazon Ad), has an article entitled George Michael needs to find some respect for himself.  It says, in part:

“Those of us who care about George will hope that his court case is a wake-up call. He is turning into a shambling wreck of a man. And if he does not change soon, then the possibility of doing time in prison will be the least of his worries.”

Tony Parsons

This is a powerful article from someone who had known George Michael since the Wham! days and is worth a read. Obviously, having written George Michael’s biography, Tony Parsons has insight that others may not have.

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From George Michael: Inside the troubled star’s life of smoking, sex and soaps:

One member of his trusted team says: “George is a genius but every genius is flawed. His stubbornness is breathtaking. We all told him, time and time again, to use a chauffeur for safety. His cousin Alex Georgiou was on hand 24 hours a day to drive him. But no, George wanted to do things his way and drive himself. The Snappy Snaps crash was inevitable, yet avoidable.

“George won’t be told. He’ll swear on live radio once he’s been warned not to. He smoked weed on TV and confessed his love of cottaging to journalists. It has his PR people tearing their hair out.”

Those who have followed George’s career know he simply does not take unwanted advice.

Even as a young pop upstart he urged fans not to buy his single because he was annoyed at a record company deal. George will not be bossed around.

The source adds: “After years of hiding who he really was, George has no time for pretence and will do exactly what he wants – and that is not usually very much.”

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