George Michael has defended his performance at the OIympic Closing Ceremony in robust fashion (LANGUAGE WARNING FOR WHAT FOLLOWS), saying it was to thank his fans for all their "loyalty and prayers".

george michael

The singer performed two songs in the Olympic stadium on Sunday night, his first public performance since a bout of pneumonia last year stymied his tour and kept him in hospital in Austria.


George Michael
Morning everyone! Had a GREAT time at the closing! I hope you are not bothered by the press reports of my scandalous 'promotion' !!!

The first was a well-received version of his classic hit Freedom 90, but his second choice has proved more contentious - his new single White Light, released coincidentally on the same day as the concert. Read one example here...

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Should George Michael have sung his new single at the Olympics Closing Ceremony?

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But the star is furious that this is being seen as an ill-timed plug of his new material by some...


George Michael
Please join me in telling them to fuck off ! It was my one chance on tv to thank you all for your loyalty and prayers, and I took it. X

It wasn't just the press, however, with the Twitterati weighing in on Sunday night, to voice their dismay, for example...


Lee Hurst
I just bumped into George Michael and asked him the time. He told me the time, but insisted on singing his new single as well.

We'll leave the last word to George. In the words (sort of) of Edith Piaf, he can only say...


George Michael
And I don't regret it. Xxxx

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  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view of the stadium during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    The Olympic Flame burns before the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    The Olympic Flame burns before the start of the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • The Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Picture by Stephen Hull

  • The Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Picture by Stephen Hull

  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view of the stadium ahead of the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

  • Britain's footballer David Beckham (R) l

    Britain's footballer David Beckham (R) looks on ahead the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/ JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view ahead of the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view ahead of the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers arrive before the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    A view of the start of the London Olympic Games 2012 Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 12, 2012. See PA story Olympics . Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    The crowd rehearse dance routines before the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • British group Madness perform during the

    British group Madness perform during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Artists perform at the Olympic stadium d

    Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/ JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages)

  • English ska band Madness perform at the

    English ska band Madness perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/ JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L), and

    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L), and Chairman of the London 2012 Organizing Committee Sebastian Coe (R) attend the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Big Ben and the London Eye are depicted during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

  • Aartists wave Union Jack flags as they p

    Aartists wave Union Jack flags as they perform during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Artists perform during the closing cerem

    Artists perform during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • An artist performs during the closing ce

    An artist performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Drummers perform hanging from a replica of the London Eye during the London Olympic Games 2012 Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 12, 2012. See PA story Olympics . Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

  • British actor Timothy Spall plays Winsto

    British actor Timothy Spall plays Winston Churchill as he performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • The Pet Shop Boys perform during the clo

    The Pet Shop Boys perform during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • British artist Emeli Sande performs duri

    British artist Emeli Sande performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Suggs and Madness perform during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

  • Guards march before the Olympic Flame du

    Guards march before the Olympic Flame during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Timothy Spall smokes a cigar while playi

    Timothy Spall smokes a cigar while playing Winston Churchill at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • British artist Emeli Sande performs duri

    British artist Emeli Sande performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Lee Thompson of Madness performs during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view of the performance inside the stadium during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • Guards march past performers during the

    Guards march past performers during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view of the performance inside the stadium during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • Lee Thompson is lifted while playing the

    Lee Thompson is lifted while playing the saxophone at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • British actor Timothy Spall poses as lat

    British actor Timothy Spall poses as late former prime minister Winston Churchill at the top of a replica of the tower housing Big Ben during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games in the Olympic Stadium in east London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Dancers dance during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

  • British musician Ray Davis peforms durin

    British musician Ray Davis peforms during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games in the Olympic Stadium in east London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/GettyImages)

  • The Olympic Flame is seen before the sta

    The Olympic Flame is seen before the start of the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    The Duchess of Cambridge (centre) speaks with Prime Minister David Cameron, his wife Samantha and Lord Coe at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    One Direction perform during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers on a replica of the London Eye during the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    A general view of the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    One Direction perform during the London Olympic Games 2012 Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 12, 2012. See PA story Olympics . Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Prince Harry (right) with President of the IOC Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers during The London Olympic Games 2012 Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 12, 2012. See PA story Olympics . Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Madness perform during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Princess Anne, her husband Timothy Laurence (centre) and President of the IOC Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    British sitcom characters Rodney and Del Boy Trotter, dressed as Batman and Robin, make an appearance during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. <em>Clarification: Further information has been added about the identities of the characters for everyone who isn't British.</em>"

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge during the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Henry Kissinger (left) and Edson Arantes do Nascimento 'Pele' at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.