Happy birthday George Michael! Pop singer turned 50 on 25 June.

Michael, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, rose to fame in the early 80s as the lead singer of Wham! which he formed with his best friend Andrew Ridgeley and delivered hits including Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and Last Christmas. It was also the first Western popular music group to ever tour China.

His first solo single, although he was still performing in Wham! at the time, Careless Whisper, reportedly sold about six million copies worldwide. Michael's debut solo album, Faith released in October 1987, was sold over 20 million copies worldwide. He has two Grammy Awards to his credit, one for Best R&B performance in 1987, and Album of the Year for Faith in 1988. He also received three Brit Awards - for Best British Male in 1998 and 1997 and Best British Album in 1991 for Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1. To perform one hour concert in Moscow on New Year's Eve 2006 for the 300 guests of Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin, he received a whooping £1.5 million too.

Michael, who has sold an estimated 100 million records over his career, is also known for his turbulent personal life.

He has been arrested several times for the possession of drugs and driving under the influence of cannabis. In 1998 he was arrested for "engaging in a lewd act" in a Beverley Hills public toilet as part of a police sting operation, forcing him to publicly out himself as gay. He was in a relationship with Texan businessman Kenny Goss from 1996-2009.

Michael is currently dating 38-year-old hair stylist Fadi Fawaz.

Singer George Michael arrives at the High Court for the second day of his bid to break from Sony Music Entertainment October 19.1993
Singer George Michael arrives at the High Court for the second day of his bid to break from Sony Music Entertainment October 19.1993 Reuters
Princess Diana with Michael at Wembley Arena in London to mark World AIDS Day December 1 1993.
Princess Diana with Michael at Wembley Arena in London to mark World AIDS Day December 1 1993. Reuters
Michael top, Elton John R and David Furnish C at the funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey, September 6,1997
Michael (top), Elton John (R) and David Furnish (C) at the funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey, September 6,1997 Reuters
Paul McCartney and George Michael L perform at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park in London, July 2, 2005.
Paul McCartney and George Michael (L) perform at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park in London, July 2, 2005. Reuters
Michael performs on stage during his Symphonica tour concert in Vienna September 4, 2012.
Michael performs on stage during his "Symphonica" tour concert in Vienna September 4, 2012. Reuters
Michael performs during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games
Michael performs during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Reuters
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