George Michael has revealed he enjoyed the best Christmas he's ever had after his brush with death earlier this month.

The former Wham! star spent five weeks battling pneumonia at a hospital in Vienna, Austria after he was struck down with the illness while on tour.

He was released last week and gave a brief, impromptu press conference outside his London home, revealing he was so ill at one point that it was "touch and go" whether he'd survive.

The star subsequently enjoyed a fun-filled Christmas at home with close friends and family, and later told how there was an air of relief over the holidays at what a "lucky man" he is to have come through the illness unscathed.

In a series of posts on Twitter, he wrote: "Best Christmas I can remember, surrounded by the people I love... And knowing that Xmas could have been very different this year for everyone at that table.... As it was we stuffed and laughed ourselves silly, I'm such a lucky man! I hope you all had a great one."

George was forced to cancel all the remaining gigs on his tour as he succumbed to the illness, but he's vowed to re-schedule every one and also plans to stage a special 'thank you' show for the medics who treated him in Austria.