George Michael tribute concert ‘may not go ahead’ as family yet to give backing
Plans for charity event are in crisis as George Michael’s family are yet to give their blessing and sources say there is only a ’50/50′ chance it will go ahead
Plans for a George Michael tribute concert are in crisis as his family are yet to give their blessing.
Former That’s Life host Dame Esther Rantzen, one of George’s great charity friends, is organising the event and is set for a meeting with them on Thursday.
But sources say there is only a “50/50” chance the concert will go ahead.
One insider said: “The most important thing about organising this is that the family approve of everything.
“Esther and the organisers didn’t want to jump the gun and start making arrangements before they had spoken with them.
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“At the moment there is a big possibility it won’t happen because the family aren’t on board. The meeting will either make or break plans.”
Earlier this month the Sunday Mirror launched a campaign to call for a star-studded concert to mark the career of the Wham! star found dead at home on Christmas Day aged just 53.
We revealed how Simon Cowell and Sir Bob Geldof are expected to be involved in the tribute.
Childline founder Esther had hoped the concert would be held at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
George secretly pledged £2million to Childline in royalties from his 1996 hit Jesus To A Child, written as he grieved over the death of lover Anselmo Feleppa. He also raised money for a string of other charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support and the Terrence Higgins Trust. George’s old flame Kenny Goss, 58, runs the Goss-Michael Foundation, a prolific charity which helps young and struggling artists.
Esther, 76, previously told us: “It is still on the cards and we are still hoping it will happen, but we haven’t approached his family yet – we don’t want to be insensitive and we have been waiting for the right time.
“He was so extraordinary in his generosity to Childline – he absolutely got our vision – and we would love to be able to pay tribute to him in our 30th year.
“The idea we have at the moment is for the group of charities he supported to join together for the concert. That’s our hope.
“It would be a tremendous way of fundraising in his memory.”
George’s remaining family include his father Kyriacos Panayiotou, 80, and sisters Melanie and Yioda. The star was buried last month at North London’s Highgate ceremony next to his mum Lesley Angold, who died in 1997. Melanie, 55, organised the emotional hour-long funeral which included tributes from George’s Wham! co-star Andrew Ridgeley, 54, and Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp, 55 whose wife Shirlie, 54, sang with Wham!
The singer died of heart and liver disease. Last night his representative said: “We have been approached but nothing’s been decided.”
Daily Mirror