From his gifts as a pop icon and talent as a writer, to his dramatic and flawed personal life, battles with substance abuse and even a prison stretch, he lived life to the full and left an incredible legacy — as well as a raft of amazing, tragic and amusing stories.
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As an impertinent young reporter, I met him and fired a lorryload of questions about his troubles, which he didn’t want to answer, but was such a class act he made me a cuppa all the same.
His is a life which deserves to be remembered and revered for everything it was — brilliant, chaotic and at times bonkers, but a total blockbuster.
So I’m sad to hear that a hotly anticipated biopic is set to be put on hold due to a raft of behind-the-scenes dramas and rows.
Sources say the late superstar’s estate was keen to move ahead with a movie following the success of films about Elton John and Queen, and had spoken to screen writers about a celebration of George’s career.
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But I’m told plot ideas and plans for how it would work out have proved to be “challenging” following disagreements among his relatives and closest friends over the narrative of the film.
His surviving relatives, including sister Yioda, the executor of his estate, and staunchly conservative dad Kyriacos are understandably keen to gloss over some of the more colourful aspects of his life while others, including George’s long-time colleagues, close friends and ex-boyfriend Kenny Goss, are at odds.
Goss is fighting for money from George’s vast estate but also wants a say in projects around the star’s life given the major role he played.
Any biopic would have to be cautious about the involvement and portrayal of anyone still living.
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The family are also concerned about the increasingly outrageous behaviour of another ex-boyfriend, Fadi Fawaz.
He has battled serious demons and made a string of damaging public claims about the late star and his family, but would also have rights over any portrayal of his relationship with George.
Fadi played a major part at the end of the icon’s life, calling the police after George was found dead at his home in Oxfordshire on Christmas Day 2016.
Singer Adam Lambert had been among big names mooted as a prospective leading man for the film, and recently said he would be keen to explore the singer’s life if the part was formally offered.
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But a source tells me: “It’s one of those things that sounded brilliant to everyone initially but has quickly proved more difficult to bring to fruition than anyone had hoped.
“There are a lot of conflicting views, and some really complicated legal wrangles too between the estate and some of those involved in his life — which have become a headache.
“As a result it feels as though it might have to be shelved for now, or at least put on the back burner.
“His family are desperate to protect George’s memory and they’d love a film that really celebrated all of his talent, but that might not be possible without the darker aspects of his life or without causing a whole load of new problems.
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“It could just become a never-ending legal and PR disaster.”
They don’t make them like George any more sadly and a film about him could be a remarkable piece of cinema — but he was never one to gloss over his own faults.
He laughed about them, spoke candidly about them and owned them . . . and a film of his life should do exactly that.
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Chilly Bey is in her brrr-a
BEYONCE will be catching a cold if she heads out in the snow wearing her latest fashion range.
It is meant to be ideal for chilly weather but this shoulder-baring look would surely leave her shivering. The Icy Park collection is part of her Ivy Park partnership with Adidas.
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Having enlisted the help of Hailey Bieber and rapper Gucci Mane to model the range, it is expected to sell out in minutes when it goes on sale this month, although it seems poorly timed given spring is just around the corner.
Bey will swap her fluffy hat and leggings for the Grammy Awards in March, where she is nominated for nine gongs – more than anyone else.
In total now she has won 24 of the awards and been nominated for 79 – right behind her husband Jay-Z and producer Quincy Jones, who hold the record of 80 nominations each.
And with lucrative clothing deals like hers, she’s raking in the cash as well as the glory.
Elliot divorce
JUNO star Elliot Page has filed for divorce two months after coming out as a transgender man.
He married Emma Portner, a dancer who has featured in videos for acts including Justin Bieber, three years ago and she supported him in December after he came out, saying she was “proud” and his “existence is a gift”.
However, she deleted her Instagram account weeks later and Elliot filed documents for the divorce in New York yesterday.
Elliot, who also appeared in Inception and Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, has now erased all photos of his ex from his social media. Ouch.
Read him like a Brook
DAYS after unveiling his eye-opening tattoo tribute to fiancée Nicola Peltz – a horrendous love letter on his neck – Brooklyn Beckham has honoured more of his loved ones with ink.
David and Victoria’s eldest revealed he now has the names of siblings Romoe, Cruz and Harper inked on his fingers, which he showed off in this posey Instagram picture.
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Brooklyn and actress Nicola, who got engaged in July, then posed in leather jackets, looking like the least threatening biker gang ever.
Brooklyn showed off his neck tattoo of Nicola’s eyes and a love letter written by his “future wifey” at the weekend.
Some might find Brooklyn’s tatts sweet, but I have to ask: What was he inking?
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Imelda’s on a roll with rock legends
ROLLING Stones and Oasis are arguably two of the biggest bands in British history and now two of the superstar members are teaming up.
I’ve learned Ronnie Wood and Noel Gallagher will both feature on a new song from Irish singer Imelda May, called Just One Kiss, which will be a surprise release tomorrow.
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A music insider said: “Imelda and Noel have spoken about doing something properly for years and were just having a chat over text a while ago when this song idea came about.
“It was just a casual conversation but it soon evolved into this track, which they both love and it made complete sense for Noel to sing on it with her.
“She has known Ronnie for ages too, so when he heard the song he was a fan.
“Imelda knows it’s a proper coup to get them both on one single, as they’re absolute music royalty. She is super excited to get it out there.”
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Imelda first met guitarist Ronnie 30 years ago, when they shared a stage in a Dublin blues basement.
She said of the veteran rocker: “He’s just joyous to be around. It’s infectious. He’s fast, really on the ball, and he knows intuitively when something is working.”
The tune will feature on Imelda’s sixth album, 11 Past The Hour, which she will release on April 23.
This stonking line-up has really set the bar high for the rest of the record.
Sam’s ‘dross songs
SAM Smith has admitted to getting away with releasing bad songs due to a powerful voice.
The Grammy winner, who has had seven No1s, said: “I get away with bad song-writing sometimes because I can sing. It happens lots.”
It might not be too long until Sam’s music changes though, as the singer confessed to being tired of chart songs and wants to make a Valentine’s Day record.
Sam explained: “I can’t wait until I can release my Valentine’s love song album, like Luther Vandross. It’s hard for me at times to remember I have to stay current.”
Given Valentine’s Day is two and a half weeks away, you’ve left it a bit late, Sam.
Moff’s Ru Pod is off
SCARLETT Moffatt was a hoot on Gogglebox – and maybe she should have stuck to that rather than presenting.
She has suffered yet another setback after the BBC dropped the official RuPaul’s Drag Race weekly podcast, which she hosted for the first UK series in 2019.
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It is the latest job she has lost after being taken off Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and I’m A Celeb’s Extra Camp.
A Beeb source said: “Not enough people were listening to it to justify a second run. But there will be plenty of jobs for Scarlett in the future.”
This should be a lesson that not every reality star is cut out to be a presenter.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “We always think about different ways for fans of popular TV shows to hear more on BBC Sounds. For this series people can enjoy RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Lip Sync music mix, which is proving to be really popular, rather than a podcast.”
Her other BBC podcast, Scarlett Wants To Believe, is coming back soon for a second series. But for now, as RuPaul would say, it’s time to sashay away, Scarlett.
Lotts to learn
LOTTIE Moss has joined the long list of airhead influencers who have made tone-deaf lockdown social media posts.
The sister of supermodel Kate wore this pink zebra print bikini while in Tulum, Mexico earlier in the month.
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And she told her Instagram followers: “Wish I was here right now, not gonna lie.”
I’m sure most of us would too, Lottie.
But the majority of people didn’t make trips halfway across the world during a pandemic.
Billie’s pill pain
BILLIE Eilish “starved” herself and took diet pills aged just 12 because she hated her body.
The Bad Guy singer, who typically wears baggy clothes to hide her figure, said: “I remember taking a pill that told me that it would make me lose weight and it only made me pee the bed – when I was 12. It’s just crazy.”
She was trolled last year after photos emerged of her wearing a vest top – and she revealed that her family became concerned about her well-being because of the comments.
Billie added: “Five years ago, I wasn’t really eating. I was, like, starving myself.
“I thought that I would be the only one dealing with my hatred for my body, but I guess the internet also hates my body.”
George Michael’s ex-boyfriend Fadi Fawaz rants ‘I love smoking crystal meth’ in bizarre Instagram video
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