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LONDON (SW): Pop superstar George Michael's death at the age of 53 from suspected heart failure is being treated by police as "unexplained but not suspicious".
"It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period," Michael's family said in a statement released by Thames Valley Police.
Big names from the world of entertainment have paid tribute to him after hearing about his death, which comes in a year that has seen the music industry lose some of its biggest stars including Prince, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen.
George Michael has sold more than 80 million records worldwide in a career spanning four decades.
He was due to release a documentary in 2017 after a period of living as a virtual recluse in which he hit the headlines for a series of bizarre incidents linked to drugs. Earlier this month, it was also announced that producer and songwriter Naughty Boy was working with Michael on a new album to come out next year.
Michael was best known for his "Club Tropicana", "Last Christmas", "Careless Whisper" and "Faith".
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