Some lucky people have already heard George Michael’s Symphonica.  It has been given its first public airing.

Speaking at the playback, the album’s executive producer David Austin said: “George contracted pneumonia and when he came back and did that run of shows… we ended up getting the whole album from maybe just those three nights… there was that energy.”

George is also working on a new studio album, according to Universal Music UK boss David Joseph.

He told MusicWeek: “Right now his absolute compete attention and focus is … on that next studio record.

“I’ve heard bits and pieces… it is stunning. It is brilliant. There is one song in particular that I’ve heard that is beyond exceptional.”

He added: “I think the global anticipation for a totally new collection is going to be enormous. Whether that’s 10, 11 or 12 years after the last one, I don’t really mind, because I know he won’t even entertain the thought of release until it’s perfect.”