Elton John leads the star-studded tributes to George Michael after he dies aged 53

Elton John, Boy George and Wham! star Andrew Ridgeley have paid tribute to George Michael, after he tragically died on Christmas Day aged 53.

They joined a bunch of shocked A-listers like Martin Fry, Ricky Gervais and George's 80s friends Duran Duran and Spandeau Ballet in commemorating the enduring Wham! frontman.

Elton, 69, stated he was 'in deep shock', whereas Andrew, 53, grieved that he was 'heartbroken' on the lack of his 'beloved good friend' in an emotional Twitter put up.

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Devastated: Elton John has paid tribute to his shut good friend George Michael in an emotional put up after his tragic dying on Christmas day aged 53

Tragic: Elton led a bunch of shocked celebrities in commemorating the Wham! singer, admitting that he was in 'deep shock'

Elton shared an Instagram snap with George, and wrote: 'I'm in deep shock. I've misplaced a beloved good friend - the kindest, most beneficiant soul and a superb artist. My coronary heart goes out to his household and all his mates.'

Andrew added on Twitter: 'Me, his family members, his mates, the world of music at giant. 4ever beloved. A xx'. 

Late Sunday night time, singer Boy George tweeted: 'I'm considering of @GeorgeMichael's household, mates and followers proper now. He was so beloved and I hope he knew it as a result of the disappointment at this time is past phrases. Devastating.

'What an attractive voice he had and his music will stay on as a testomony to his expertise. I can not consider he's gone. I hope the Buddha will maintain him in his arms. NMRK.'

George 'handed away peacefully' at his dwelling in Goring, Oxfordshire at 1.42pm at this time, in keeping with his publicist.

Michael had beforehand battled drug dependancy. Nevertheless, the circumstances round his dying are at present unknown. 

Grief-stricken: Wham! star Andrew Ridgeley, 53, stated that he was 'heartbroken' on the lack of his 'beloved good friend Yog' (pictured with George)

Agency mates: Elton and George, who've duetted collectively, have been extraordinarily shut within the 1980s 

George Michael and Boy George are pictured collectively acting at a live performance in London in 1987

Singer Boy George paid tribute to George Michael on Twitter late Sunday night (pictured)

Unhappy: Geri Horner was additionally fast to pay tribute to her shut good friend, sharing an emotional Instagram snap of her hugging George

Martin Fry, lead singer and songwriter with Look Of Love band ABC, stated on Twitter: 'Completely devastated to listen to of the lack of @GeorgeMichael Really good expertise unhappy unhappy unhappy.'

Contemporaries Duran Duran referenced the so-called 'curse of 2016' - which has seen the deaths of rock and pop behemoths David Bowie, Prince and Rick Parfitt, with their put up.

They penned on their official Twitter account: '2016 - lack of one other gifted soul. All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael's household.' 

By no means forgotten: Geri beforehand stated George was the 'solely superstar good friend' she had, other than the Spice Ladies

George 'handed away peacefully' at his dwelling in Goring, Oxfordshire at 1.42pm at this time, in keeping with his publicist

Farewell: Queen of Pop Madonna is shocked to have misplaced one other of her friends in 2016 after David Bowie and Prince

Geri Horner was additionally fast to pay tribute to  her shut good friend, sharing an emotional Instagram snap of her hugging George.

The previous Spice Ladies singer wrote beneath: 'So so unhappy, RIP George, a pricey good friend, the kindest, most beneficiant and gifted particular person. My ideas are together with his household.'

Geri beforehand stated George was the 'solely superstar good friend' she had, other than the Spice Ladies.

The pregnant singer informed The Solar: 'I've lengthy chats with him, he is like a brother. Prior to now I've performed my music to him and typically he'd inform me it is s**t and different occasions it is nice.

'He is very regular whenever you speak one-on-one with him.'

Holly Johnson, lead singer of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, stated: 'Unhappy to listen to the information about George Michael , and so many nice singers and songwriters we misplaced this yr.'

Music contemporaries Spandau Ballet stated: 'We're extremely unhappy on the passing of our expensive good friend George Michael. A superb artist & nice songwriter.'

Merely Pink stated: 'Its laborious to absorb. Certainly one of our most gifted singer songwriters has left us. RIP George Michael. Such unhappy, tragic information. 2016 please finish.'

Matt Goss, singer within the band Bros, stated: 'George Michael was a part of the tapestry of my life. His songs his lyrics & his melodies, True pop royalty! Heartbroken, RIP dearest George.'

Stylish founder and guitarist Nile Rodgers stated he with the tragic pop star days earlier than he died.

Pop legend: George - whose actual title is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - offered greater than 100 million albums all through a profession spanning nearly 4 many years (pictured with Andrew Ridgeley)

He stated: 'That is so loopy. I used to be simply at his home the morning of the 23rd. So loopy.'

Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to Michael's dedication to equality campaigning.

He stated: 'Unhappy to listen to that George Michael has died. He was an distinctive artist and a robust supporter of LGBT and employees' rights.'

LGBT charity Stonewall tweeted their disappointment on the information, writing: 'R.I.P. George Michael. You impressed many and your music will stay on within the hearts of the group. You can be sorely missed x.'

TV persona James Corden stated: 'I've beloved George Michael for so long as I can keep in mind. He was an absolute inspiration. All the time forward of his time.'

This yr's X Issue winner Matt Terry stated: 'Noooooooooooooooo! I can not consider this !!!! RIP George Michael'.

Matt Lucas, who labored with the singer throughout a sketch for BBC comedy Little Britain, stated: 'Nicely 2016, you needed to simply take yet one more, did not you?'

Entrepreneur and tv persona Duncan Bannatyne stated: 'George Michael has now been taken by the curse of 2016. Please make him the final. RIP.'

Whereas former Radio One disc jockey Tony Blackburn stated: 'Unbelievable, George Michael has died on the age of 53. RIP.This dreadful yr goes on and on.So unhappy, an actual expertise.' 

Former X Issue winner Shayne Ward stated: 'Completely shocked to listen to that considered one of my vocal idols @GeorgeMichael Has handed away. I adored his voice.'

Music business greats: Duran Duran stated it was the 'lack of one other gifted soul' after George's dying (pictured Simon le Bon with George at Wham's ultimate live performance)

The passing of a legend: Everybody from Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon to actor Richard E. Grant paid tribute

80s pop star Howard Jones, identified for the tune I might Like To Get To Know You Nicely, stated: 'Cannot consider George Michael has handed ....one of many best singers and writers the UK ever produced. I am actually saddened ..a stunning man.'

Star Trek actor William Shatner stated: 'Is that this yr over but? Too many individuals are passing away. Relaxation In Peace, George Michael.'

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated: 'Very unhappy to listen to the information about George Michael. An unbelievable expertise who introduced pleasure to tens of millions of us together with his music.'

Fellow politician Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, stated: 'That is simply too terrible. Such a tremendous expertise gone too quickly. Wham was a part of the soundtrack to my teenage years.' 

Singer and stage actress Pixie Lott stated: 'Grew up listening to the attractive and gifted @GeorgeMichael - my mama's favorite! was a pleasure to fulfill him so unhappy to listen to the information.'

Fellow pop star La Roux stated: 'One other one gone.... What a voice, what a songwriter.' 

Michael, who was set to launch a documentary in 2017, rose to fame as a member of Wham!, identified for his or her hits Membership Tropicana and Final Christmas.

The singer - whose actual title is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - offered greater than 100 million albums all through a profession spanning nearly 4 many years.

In a press release, the star's publicist stated: 'It's with nice disappointment that we will verify our beloved son, brother and good friend George handed away peacefully at dwelling over the Christmas interval.

Musical icon: Michael, who was set to launch a documentary in 2017, rose to fame as a member of Wham!, identified for his or her hits Membership Tropicana and Final Christmas

'The household would ask that their privateness be revered at this troublesome and emotional time. There can be no additional remark at this stage.' 

Michael practically died from pneumonia in late 2011. After receiving therapy in a Vienna hospital, he made a tearful look exterior his London dwelling and stated it had been 'contact and go' whether or not he lived.

Medical doctors had carried out a tracheotomy to maintain his airways open and he was unconscious for a few of his spell in hospital. 

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