GettyGeorge Michael’s Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he would have been ‘knocked sideways’ by the outpouring of love for him, following his death on Christmas Day.
Andrew, 53, pioneered his way to fame through the band he started with his school-friend George back in the early 80s.
Speaking to The Sun, Andrew said George’s death still hadn’t sunk in.
GettyHe said:
It’s all pretty raw for everyone still. I understand that there are a lot of people worldwide who care for him and his music. The outpouring of goodwill and well-wishing has been remarkable and inspiring and he would have been knocked sideways by it.
I think he would have been genuinely humbled by the expression of sadness from people.
The singer, who had number one hits with George including Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Freedom and I’m Your Man, also tweeted his tributes.
He said he was heartbroken at the loss of his ‘beloved friend Yog’.
Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx https://t.co/OlGTm4D9O6
— Andrew Ridgeley (@ajridgeley) December 26, 2016
#GM had a voice that would transport u, he was the finest singer/songwriter of his generation & has left the best of himself 4 us. RIP GM xx pic.twitter.com/Gjcp55Chei
— Andrew Ridgeley (@ajridgeley) December 26, 2016
Thames Valley Police claim South Central Ambulance Service attended a property in Oxfordshire at 13:42 GMT on Christmas day where Michael ‘died peacefully’, according to the BBC. He was just 53-years-old.
They added that his death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious and a post-mortem will be undertaken in due course.
Michael’s manager Michael Lippman, however, claims he died from heart failure.
GettyThe singer, whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, sold more than 100 million albums throughout his career which spanned an impressive four decades.
Our thoughts go out to George’s family and friends during this difficult time.
