Writing on Twitter today, Michael said his vocal range was "completely back" and that he'd started work on three new tracks.

However, he also had other matters on his mind - not least reports suggesting he was unable to attend the ongoing Leveson inquiry into press regulation.

It's quite a lengthy rant, but he knows how to tell a hell of story, does George. We've left out the bit where the singer accuses the "sick f*cking bastards" at one tabloid ...