George puts O2 on world tour list

GEORGE MICHAEL fans will get a chance to see their hero at the O2 in November after he announced he is to go on tour again nearly three years after he said he would quit live performance — this time accompanied by a symphony orchestra.

The singer announced a 47-date tour of Europe starting in Prague’s State Opera House in August.

Symphonica — The Orchestral Tour, will include a gig at Dublin’s O2 on November 1, with tickets going on sale on May 16.

Speaking at a news conference at the Royal Opera House in London, the former Wham! star said he intended to record a new album during breaks in the tour.

“I felt very re-energised after my recent troubles, I felt it was really what I want to do as an artist,” he said.

“As an artist, I think I have said before that I am really not interested or excited by repeating former successes.”

The singer said the last date announced yesterday April 29, 2012 — at the Palais Garnier in Paris — would probably “kick off’” the second leg of the tour. The singer said he had been inspired to perform with an orchestra by veteran singer Tony Bennett.

Asked about his difficulties in recent times — he spent a month in prison last year for drug driving — the singer paid tribute to the support of his fans.

“I was fairly overwhelmed by their support over the last 10 months. It should not surprise me because I have an amazing, amazing group of fans,” he said.

He said he was looking to work with either gay or “gay-friendly” artists on the album.

“I have a serious problem with the fact that every time I make a big mistake, every time I would let myself down, I felt definitely that I was letting young gay people down... because of the homophobia that was thrown at me and the wording of that homophobia.”