In an interview with BBC 5 Live, David Furnish (Elton John’s partner) has said he’s concerned for the health, state of mind and general wellbeing of singer George Michael.

When asked about George Michael David Furnish replied: “The difficult thing for Elton and me is a lot of George’s friends keep calling us saying ‘you have to do something, George is in a bad way, he’s in a bad state.’ We’re only reacting to what his close friends say to us. I respect George, I love George, I think he’s a huge talent. I just hope he’s fine, I hope he’s well and his reaction is the press it is what it is. I just hope he’s well and happy and continues to be the great artist he is.

“George has to want to help himself. If he wants help we’re here for him, if he doesn’t want help that’s fine, that’s his choice too, if he doesn’t think he needs help that’s fine too.”

When asked what Micheal’s friends saying about his health, Furnish said: “They’re saying that they’re very concerned. A lot of people are saying it to us, we get it very very regularly, that they are concerned about his health, concerned about his state of mind and his wellbeing and that as Elton has been there and experienced sobriety now for 19 years, that perhaps he’s best positioned to be able to help out. But if George feels he doesn’t need help and his life is in check and balance, then maybe his friends are wrong. I haven’t seen him in such a long time, it’s difficult to judge and pass comment.”