George Michael’s close friend Gary Farrow has admitted that the singer’s “easy access to drugs” was the cause of his downfall.
The PR chief, who managed George’s publicity for more than 30 years, was very close to the star as he chose George as his eldest daughter’s godfather.
The Wham! singer was found dead at his home in the UK on Christmas Day, and is reported to have died due to heart failure.
“I believe easy access to drugs was the cause of his problems,” Gary told The Sun.
Devastating:Â George was found dead on Christmas Day | VIPIRELAND.COM
“I thought George was too bright to get involved with illegal substances. But once this disease gets hold of you it’s hard to fight it,” he said.
Despite his problems with substance abuse, Gary told how George was “the best” – and spoke highly of his late friend’s caring persona.
“He was one of the funniest people I knew. He built up this serious persona to protect himself. He always took the mickey out of himself.
“For me, with the exception of David Bowie, he was the best. He wrote, played, produced and sang his music, not bad for a kid from Bushey.
“George wrote Careless Whisper on the bus when was just 17. I saw him make records. IÂ saw how he used to build them up.
Troubled: George’s close friend says easy access to drugs caused his problems | VIPIRELAND.COM
“This wasn’t throw away pop, his lyrics reflected society. I think there were at least two more great albums in him. I know there is one great single to be released. The key to a return to the charts was for George to get his head straight.
“What I do know is that George was a real gentleman. He had impeccable manners he’d stand up at the table when a fellow diner arrived, say ‘good morning’ and hold doors open for others,” he explained.
“If you were in need he would help you out. He gave to charity endlessly without wanting a name check. He wrote huge cheques and didn’t want anything in return. He bought the piano that John Lennon wrote Imagine on for nearly £1.5million and then gave it back to charity.
“George studied world politics and got hurt very easy. The suffering in Syria would have been intolerable to him. When we did Band Aid, seeing the footage of people starving in Africa was very harrowing for him.
“The world has lost not only a superstar musician, but a caring, loving man,” he added.
