Nine years since we lost one of our own UK Cypriot George Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career, died at his home in Goring, England, at age 53.

George Michael was born in London and lots of us grew up with his music.

The super star was born George Kyriacos Panayiotou to a Cypriot father Kyriacos from Patriki in Cyprus his late mother Lesley Angold English.

He was born in London 25th June 1963 he attended Kingsbury High School his father was a policeman in Cyprus and became later a restaurateur in the UK with the well known Jacks Restaurant in Edgware.  The family later moved to Radlett in Hertfordshire, and George attended Bushey Meads school, where he became close friends with Andrew Ridgeley. star, who he launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and later continued his success as a solo performer,

Up to the time of his death, Michael sold more than 115 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Charities and organisations have been paying tribute to George Michael on the 8th anniversary of his death.

The singer-songwriter, who died in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire on Christmas Day in 2016, was an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser.

Message from George Michael’s family
Dear Friends, Lovelies and fans all over the world,

First things first, we want to say a HUGE thank you for taking ‘Last Christmas’ to No.1 again this year.
The single ‘hit that high’ for the 11th time since it was released in 1984.  It also reached a new high in the Billboard Hot 100 at Number 2 and also Number 1 in the Billboard Global 200, making it the biggest song in the world last week!

We know you know, but George loved Christmas, and so it fills our hearts to see ‘Last Christmas’ become a part of your Christmas each year.  We also know that he is a part of your lives every day through his music, and it is wonderful to see so many new fans listening to his music.

So, wherever you find yourself this Christmas, however you spend it, and whoever you spend it with, we wish you some rest, peace and much good company.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas and looking forward to an exciting year for George’s fans in 2026…

Love from Yioda, Jack and David