Michael ordered to appear in court before first Wembley gig

British pop star George Michael has been ordered to appear in court in June to answer to a number of drugs charges - the day before he is set to play the first gig at London's new Wembley Stadium.

The former Wham! singer was arrested and charged with being unfit to drive after he was found slumped at the wheel of his car in the British capital last year. He was also charged with possession of what was believed to be cannabis.

At yesterday's preliminary hearing at Brent Magistrates' Court, district judge Katherine Marshall demanded the 43-year-old hitmaker make an appearance at the start of the trial on 8 May, as well as the 8 June court date, because he will "already be in the area".

She says, "He is around in the area because I believe he is appearing at Wembley Stadium. I do not think he will have any difficulty in being here on June 8."

The courthouse is located three miles away from Wembley Stadium, where Michael will play to 90,000 fans as part of his 2007 European tour.

While Marshall rejected a request by the singer's solicitor for him to skip the whole court case, she agreed to consider granting him bail on the condition that he attended the final day of the trial.