Web
insults close Michael's site
Singer
George Michael has shut down his website messageboard because
so-called fans had been using it to log disparaging comments
about him.
The pop star,
41, said it was "sad" to see the forum "packed
full of negative comment", saying he wanted nothing to do
with the "bitching" on the site.
Website
users had accused of him of being old and overweight and failing
to promote his latest album, Patience.
Others had
complained about the quality of his recordings.
In a
farewell message on the site, Michael said: "As many of you
will know, much of my reasoning for the future is to stay away
from the negativity of the media.
"I
think that it is bad for me and for music in general, so I find
it really sad to see the forums so packed full of negative
comment, and that so many genuinely positive fans find
themselves defending me... constantly against attack. How
pointless."
He went on:
"There are plenty of places to read people slagging each
other off, but I wasn't trying to create one in opening the
forum.
"Those
of you that want to carry on the media's work will have to do it
somewhere else."
George
Michael sent fans a farewell message
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He said he
"felt bad" for genuine fans who had supported him in
the forums, but signed off saying: "Sorry guys, but that's
the way it goes... Peace and Love... or nothing at all."
After
hearing of the closure, disappointed fans said they feared the
move would only create more negative publicity for the singer.
One branded
him a "control freak" and said: "It smacks of
someone unhappy we're not all heaping praise on him at every
turn and that's sad.
"The
people who read and contribute to these boards are fans."
Another said
the decision was "ludicrous", posting a message saying:
"It's a fans' forum, it's freedom of speech and I don't
think it's down to George to take his ball home and say 'I'm not
playing any more.'"
George
Michael said the forum would remain open for two weeks to enable
fans who had built up friendships online to arrange other ways
to stay in touch. The rest of the website remains open.
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