Seven years on one of our own UK Cypriot George Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career, died at his home in Goring, England, at age 53.

George Michael was born in London and lots of us grew up with his music.

The super star was born George Kyriacos Panayiotou to a Cypriot father Kyriacos from Patriki in Cyprus his late mother Lesley Angold English.

He was born in London 25th June 1963 he attended Kingsbury High School his father was a policeman in Cyprus and became later a restauranteur in the UK with the well known Jacks Restaurant in Edgware.  The family later moved to Radlett in Hertfordshire, and George attended Bushey Meads school, where he became close friends with Andrew Ridgeley. star, who he launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and later continued his success as a solo performer,

Up to the time of his death, Michael sold more than 115 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Charities and organisations have been paying tribute to George Michael on the 7th anniversary of his death.

The singer-songwriter, who died in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire on Christmas Day in 2016, was an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. 

Brighton and Hove Pride posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: “George Michael – remembering the legendary singer, songwriter and record producer, and one of the best-selling musicians of all time. RIP.”

The National Aids Trust said: “On the 7th anniversary of George Michael’s sad passing we remember the legacy he has left and the impact he still has on so many people’s lives.

“A friend of NAT and an amazing, generous ally of the HIV cause.”

This year is particularly special for those remembering George Michael, after Wham!’s ‘Last Christmas’ was announced as the UK number one, 39 years after it was first released.

The 80s classic, which he wrote with Andrew Ridgeley, beat Sam Ryder’s ‘You’re Christmas To Me’ and Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ to the number one spot.

UK fans streamed the song 13.3 million times, making it the most-played song ever during Christmas week.

Referencing the recent success in its tribute, Terrence Higgins Trust, a HIV & sexual health charity, said: “Today we’re remembering George Michael who died on Christmas Day seven years ago.

“George was a massively impactful HIV campaigner and advocate.

“It’s brilliant news that Wham!’s Last Christmas is this year’s Christmas number one. George, you are missed.”