British pop icon George Michael has died at the age of 53.
The news shocked Michael’s devoted fans, many of whom went to pay respects to the singer by leaving mementos, flowers and balloons outside his homes in Britain.
Albums, candles, newspapers and more were left in tribute outside the singer’s London residence, as well as his riverside home in Goring-on-Thames, a village in Oxfordshire, where he “passed away peacefully,” according to a statement released Christmas Day by his publicist Connie Filippello.
His partner, Fadi Fawaz, has described how he found the star dead in bed on Christmas Day. Fadi said he made the terrible discovery after arriving at the musician’s home to wake him ahead of a planned Christmas Day lunch.
ITs a xmas i will never forget finding your partner dead peacefully in bed first thing in the morning.. I will never stop missing you xx
— Fadi Fawaz (@fadifawaz) December 26, 2016
Michael rocketed to stardom in the 80’s as the lead singer of the pop group ‘WHAM!’ and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career. He will be remembered as a talented musician, trendsetter, and influential human rights activist.
