George Michael quits pop music

Legendary singer George Michael is quitting the pop world for good in favour of taking a more "behind the scenes" role in the industry.

The Freedom star believes pop music is "dead" and is now seeking a career composing songs for other musicians.

Michael, 41, made his comments at the Berlin Film Festival in Germany yesterday. He was there to launch documentary film A Different Story, which follows struggles in both his personal and professional lives as he became a superstar in the 1980s.

Michael said: "That genre (pop) is just dead as far as I am concerned.

“I just thought it was very important to explain myself before I disappear.

"I truly believe there's a life for me that is not this one.

"Perhaps it will mean writing for other people. I have an ambition to write a truly contemporary musical, not necessarily even for the stage, but for the screen.

"I have got to find ways to make music and enjoy it the way I used to."