George Michael has found a musical way to say thank you to the doctors and nurses who restored him to health when he was stricken with pneumonia at the end of last year.
The singer has resumed preparations to continue his Symphonica tour, which will kick off again in Vienna on 4 September. For that concert, the star is donating a thousand tickets to the medical staff from the city's hospital, who treated him when he was ill.
Michael had performed 46 of the original 65 dates of his tour, struggling through a throat infection from outset, until he was diagnosed with pneumonia, fortunately in Vienna, where one of the world's best specialist hospitals for this illness is situated.
He said today, “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you first to the doctors and nurses who saved my life and took such great care of me and to all my fans, family and friends for their love and support. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”
Michael will also be back at London's Royal Albert Hall later in September, for the concert originally planned for 2 May. Please see below for a list of rescheduled ticket dates around the UK.
The rescheduled and brand new ‘Symphonica’ tour dates will include performances in Austria, The Netherlands and France where the singer will become the first pop artist ever to perform a special gala charity concert at the Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris on 9 September.
Here are the revised tour dates. Any ticket holder requiring a refund should contact the point of purchase as soon as possible. All refund requests must be received by Monday 30th April 2012. Any returned tickets will be available to purchase from the venue box offices.
September 2012
4th Stadhalle, Vienna,New Date
6th Stadhalle, Vienna,Rescheduled from 21st November 2011
9th Palais Garnier, Paris, Rescheduled from 29th April 2012
14th Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, New Date
16th LG Arena, Birmingham, Rescheduled from 9th December 2011
17th LG Arena, Birmingham, Rescheduled from 10th December 2011
21st Arena, Manchester, Rescheduled from 12th December 2011
23rd SECC, Glasgow, Rescheduled from 6th December 2011
24th SECC, Glasgow, Rescheduled from 7th December 2011
29th Royal Albert Hall, London, Rescheduled from 2nd May 2012
October 2012
1st Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, Rescheduled from 2nd December 2011
3rd Metro Radio Arena,Newcastle, Rescheduled from 3rd December 2011
5th Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Rescheduled from 26th November 2011
6th Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Rescheduled from 27th November 2011
9th Arena, Manchester, Rescheduled from 13th December 2011
10th Echo Arena, Liverpool, Rescheduled from 30th November 2011
13th Earls Court, London, Rescheduled from 16th December 2011
14th Earls Court, London, Rescheduled from 17th December 2011
17th Earls Court, London, Rescheduled from 19th December 2011