London Greek Radio

It’s been a whole year since Cypriot icon George Michael aka Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou passed on. The famous singer of ‘Last Christmas’ could not have a more poignant song on the London Greek Radio air-waves…

George Michael’s family’s poignant message to his fans as Christmas Day marks first anniversary of his death… which is nothing more to pay tribute to the star with an outpouring of love – for their relatives.

The singer’s nearest and dearest are calling on people to say ”I love you out loud”.

”Nothing had prepared me for the depth of pain George’s death precipitated. The shock and disbelief were overwhelming.”

Their poignant message comes as they prepare to spend a heartbreaking first Christmas without George, who died last Christmas Day at just 53.

George’s sisters Melanie and Yioda and their dad Jack said in a statement: ”This Christmas will be hard without him, but we know that we are not alone in our mourning the anniversary of his loss.

”Christmas is not always easy, life isn’t perfect and families are complicated. So if you can, in his memory this year, take a moment and a deep breath and say those ‘I love yous’ out loud.”

Careless Whisper and Last Christmas star George – who was nicknamed Yog – was found dead at home in Goring-in-Thames, Oxfordshire, by boyfriend Fadi Fawaz, 44, a year ago.

The past week has seen the mansion turned into a shrine as fans pay tribute with flowers, memorabilia and candles.

There is disappointment that an official concert or memorial to celebrate George’s life never happened.

But pals and fans hope there may still be one next year – not least to mark the tireless fundraising George did for charity.

The star’s family admitted it has been a ”challenge” to hear his songs when they miss him so desperately.

They added: “This year has been a series of tough challenges for those of us close and loyal to Yog, not least steeling ourselves this month to hear Last Christmas and December Song streaming out of shops, cars and radios, as it has done for decades, knowing he’s no longer here with us, missing him.

“We are at ‘that age’ and realise many of you will have had difficult losses too.

”Yog, who loved Christmas and always hoped it would snow, would want each of you that ­admired and loved him (yes – he knows you did!!) to take a moment, raise a glass, enjoy his music and think of him fondly, making sure to enjoy your time with, and appreciate your family and friends.

“Yog shared his music with all of us and many of you connected deeply with his words. Have a good Christmas everyone. And as our darling Yog would say… take care.”

A coroner confirmed George died of heart disease and a build-up of fat in his liver. He is buried at Highgate Cemetery, North London, next to his beloved mum Lesley.

Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley, 54, said of George’s death: ”That night, ­despite having shed an ocean of tears already that day – the sheer eviscerating sense of loss cut my legs from beneath me and, on the deck and on my knees, I cried like I’d never cried before.

“Nothing had prepared me for the depth of pain George’s death precipitated. The shock and disbelief were overwhelming.”

Article written by London Greek Radio