Sun 25 Apr 1993

Thu 25 Apr 2004

Singer George Michael has revealed he is considering offers to produce a stage musical about pop group Wham!.

"Two or three producers have approached Andrew Ridgeley and I," Michael told London radio station Heart 106.2FM.

Michael, who has just topped the charts with his album Patience, said he "hates the idea" on a creative level.

"On another level, I know a certain generation of people would love the idea. But I would literally have to avoid the premiere," added the singer.

"The truth is that done on stage, there'll be no charm and you'll be left with a lot of cheese," said the 40-year-old star.

"I think Andrew was of the opinion that if the story was good enough, then it would be snotty not to do it," said Michael.

"He would love the fact that it would make a fortune as well," he added.

Wham! enjoyed huge success from 1982-86

The hits of Swedish supergroup Abba have been revived in the long-running show Mamma Mia, while Elton John, Queen and Rod Stewart are among those who have had their music translated to the stage.

George Michael said he was "too much of a fan" of Queen to go and see their musical, We Will Rock You.

Michael and Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley were catapulted to musical prominence in 1982, and enjoyed a high-profile chart career.

They had four UK number ones, including I'm Your Man and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, which have endured almost two decades on.

Stalled career

The pair eventually split in 1986, with Michael going on to enjoy a successful solo career.

Ridgeley's attempt to launch his own musical career stalled, with his 1990 single Shake faltering at number 58.

Michael recently announced his retirement from the mainstream music industry, saying he would concentrate on distributing his work via the internet.

The full interview with George Michael is due to air on Jono Coleman and Harriett Scott's show on Heart 106.2FM next month.

Wed 25 Apr 2007

The pop superstar, 43, was arrested last October and faces charges of driving under the influence of drugs.

A district judge in north-west London ruled on Tuesday that Mr Michael's trial would start on 8 May, followed by hearings on 30 and 31 May and 8 June.

The star, real name George Panayiotou, is due to play the first concert at the new Wembley Stadium on 9 June.

The concert is part of his British and European stadium tour, which starts in May.

Mr Michael is facing charges of driving while unfit through drugs and being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs.

Traffic 'obstruction'

District Judge Katherine Marshall at Brent Magistrates' Court rejected an application for the singer to be allowed to be absent throughout the trial.

She said she wanted him to be in court on 8 May and would be willing, if he did not wish to remain at the trial, to bail him to reappear on the final day, 8 June.

Judge Marshall said: "He is around in the area because I believe he is appearing at Wembley Stadium. I do not think he will have any difficulty in being here on June 8."

Mr Michael was arrested on 1 October after motorists called police to report a car causing an obstruction at traffic lights in Cricklewood.

He was subsequently charged with being unfit to drive through drugs and cautioned for cannabis possession.

The charge of being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs was added at a hearing at Brent Magistrates' Court last month.