Wham! star Andrew Ridgeley attacks 'mucky' Channel 5 documentary about George Michael
Friend and fellow artist called programme 'a piece of voyeurism'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.George Michael's former Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley has criticised Channel 5 for airing a "mucky" documentary before his funeral took place.
Andrew Ridgeley posted on Twitter on Thursday - when the show titled The Last Days of George Michael was aired - and called it "sensationalist and mucky".
He claimed the channel had been “insensitive, contemptuous and reprehensible” and should have waited until after Michael's funeral to air the programme.
Channel 5, however, has defended its decision and said the show was "a measured account" of the star's life, the BBC reports.
"George Michael was a high-profile public figure and there has been legitimate public interest in the circumstances surrounding his death," it said in a statement.
It said the documentary was "based on contributions from those who knew him and reported on him over many decades".
It was confirmed earlier in March that Michael - born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - died on Christmas Day as a result of heart and liver disease.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments