VARIOUS FILE: Austrian media report singer George Michael has left hospital. The singer's publicist claims reports are based on rumours

Record ID: 191173

  • Title: VARIOUS FILE: Austrian media report singer George Michael has left hospital. The singer's publicist claims reports are based on rumours
  • Date: 23rd December 2011
  • Summary: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (FILE - AUGUST 22, 2011) (REUTERS) (** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **( GEORGE MICHAEL PERFORMING 'THROUGH'
  • Embargoed: 7th January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Czech Republic, Usa, United Kingdom
  • City:
  • Country: Czech Republic Usa United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment,Health
  • Reuters ID: LVA6HVN0TOUQIIEIO9U02XABZRR4
  • Story Text: British singer George Michael was discharged from a Vienna hospital on Thursday after weeks of treatment for severe pneumonia, the Oesterreich newspaper reported.
    The report on the Austrian paper's website said the 48-year-old former Wham! frontman walked to a waiting limousine which took him to the airport.
    It cited unidentified hospital staff.
    "He will be able to celebrate Christmas at home in London," it said.
    A spokeswoman for the Vienna General Hospital declined to comment on the report, referring questions to Michael's public relations agency.
    Michael's publicist in London told Reuters the Oesterreich newspaper story was based on rumours.
    "Nothing has been confirmed to us -- and we don't know when he will be released ... it could be in the coming weeks," a spokeswoman told Reuters.
    "There have been lots of rumours in the Austrian press."
    Asked if reports were wrong, she declined to comment further.
    Michael, whose chart-topping hits as a solo artist include "Faith" and "Careless Whisper", postponed a series of concerts and was taken into hospital in Vienna last month.
    The Grammy award-winning singer first found fame in the 1980s with Wham! before going on to pursue a successful solo career. He has sold an estimated 100 million records and has a personal fortune estimated at 90 million pounds. ($141 million). ($1 = 0.6384 British pounds)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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