George Michael: Tributes left outside the star's home mourn the loss of 'one of the world’s sensitive souls'

Chloe Chaplain27 December 2016
The Weekender

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Heartbroken fans have left tributes and candles outside George Michael’s north London home following news of his death on Christmas Day.

The Wham! singer is believed to have died from heart failure after it was announced on Sunday night he had passed away “peacefully” at his home.

Flowers and notes to “one of the world’s sensitive souls” have been left outside his home in Highgate.

Kevin McDonagh, who lives nearby, paid tribute and said he remembers dancing with his wife to Michael's music when they were teenagers.

Tributes: A devastated fan outside the singer's home 
PA Wire/PA Images

He said his children now, aged 15 and 17, have been listening to Michael's music all over the festive season.

Mr McDonagh, originally from Armagh, said: "He touched a lot of people. And in some point in your life you have to demonstrate your appreciation of talent.

“He was troubled but it doesn't take away from his talents."

He described Michael as a "man of the people".

Helen Bradbear, who also lives close by, came to pay tribute to the star. "I just loved his music," she said, adding: "I think he was a very big-hearted, caring human being really."

She described his songs as "universally expansive", and said she woke up and felt "really shocked" by the news.

Heartfelt tributes: A tearful George Michael fan outside his Highgate home
PA Wire/PA Images

"I think he was a great man," she said, adding: "He's an inspiring figure."

A man who just gave his name as Walter told Press Association he and his wife Avril have known Michael in the Highgate area for years.

He said Michael was a "big part of the community" and that he visited the couple's lifestyle and interior shop in the village.

"He did a lot for the village," he said, adding that the star was the driving force behind sorting a Christmas tree on a communal green area opposite his house.

Walter, who was out walking his dog Luna B, said Michael "loved dogs", but said he had not seen him for a while.

"He kept himself to himself. He was a private man," he said.

Highgate home: A card left by a fan of the Wham! singer
PA Wire/PA Images

Meanwhile, at the music star's riverside home in Goring-on-Thames several floral tributes had been left for him.

One card, signed "Tracy", said: "Dear George, My heart is broken, you have gone too soon. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.

"Some of my most precious and happiest memories have been watching you sing live and one of the best days of my life was being at Wembley for Wham's final concert and again when you sang at the new Wembley.

"I hope that you have finally found some peace and you know how much you were loved.

"Your music and spirit will live on.

Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp and his wife Shirlie - a backing singer for Wham! have both paid tribute to Michael.

Kemp wrote on Twitter: "My whole family and I are devastated at the loss of our beautiful friend Yog! We will miss him so much! We are all heartbroken!"

Shirlie wrote that she is "beyond heartbroken".

She added: "Words cannot express how sad we all are, only last week I saw him laughing and happy. My heart is broken to lose someone so special."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT