The world lost a legend on Christmas Day after the death of British pop star George Michael. In his honor, SiriusXM will launch a tribute channel dedicated to his memory on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 12 p.m. ET.
Faith, the George Michael Tribute Channel, will air on channel 13 and will run through Jan. 10. It will feature music from the singer’s entire body of work. Fans will hear Michael’s earliest recordings with Wham!, his acclaimed collaborations with Elton John, Aretha Franklin and Queen, plus his solo hits. Michael’s 1987 solo debut album Faith produced four No. 1 singles and sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.
As with all deaths where the cause of death is not immediately apparent, a post-mortem examination is to be undertaken in due course in order to confirm the cause of death.
This information is required before the coroner can decide whether there is a need for an inquest. If a natural cause of death is confirmed, there will be no need for an inquest.
All of this is in accordance with normal procedures and does not imply that there is currently any reason to believe the cause of death is in any way suspicious.
TMZ is reporting that George Michael died from heart failure. TMZ says he slept through the episode and suffered no pain. TMZ also said George Michael had not been ill.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with George Michael’s manager.
“I’m devastated,” Michael Lippman, George Michael’s long-time manager, said on Sunday. The manager received a call on Christmas morning notifying him that Michael had been found “in bed, lying peacefully.” The exact time of death is not clear at this time, but there was “no foul play whatsoever,” said Lippman.
A police statement said: “Thames Valley Police were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2 p.m. Christmas Day. Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene. At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.”