The star is said to have passed away peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire, on Christmas Day.

Michael found fame as part of the 80’s pop duo Wham! along with Andrew Ridgeley.

Farewell My Friend! ?? Another Great Artist leaves us. ?Can 2016 Fuck Off NOW? pic.twitter.com/aEGIUNSJbt

— Madonna (@Madonna) 26 dicembre 2016

After hits such as ‘Last Christmas’ with Wham!, he had a stellar solo career, recording chart-toppers such as ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Praying for Time’ and ‘Faith’.

George Michael came out as gay in 1998, and has been an icon for many in the LGBT community due to his uncompromising attitude.

He was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, to a Greek Cypriot father and British mother, in North London.

The singer had a legal and medical troubles throughout the years, including being arrested for drug possession, and a battle with severe pneumonia in 2011.

George Michael wrote Praying for Time 25 years ago but I truly believe it's message means more now than ever. https://t.co/f03zlWYbLa

— James Corden (@JKCorden) 25 dicembre 2016

He sold over 100 million albums over nearly four decades.

(Patrick Atack - Euronews)

RIP George Michael, an inspiration to gay men who told homophobia where to go stick itself pic.twitter.com/UNvcSfN4be

— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) 25 dicembre 2016

R.I.P. George Michael. You inspired many and your music will live on in the hearts of the community. You will be sorely missed x pic.twitter.com/tjXqkArahj

— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) 25 dicembre 2016