George Michael’s estate are suing his former manager and friend after he shared unseen footage of the late star online.
Andros Georgiou, 63, believes his pal would be “turning in his grave” at the legal action, which came in response to the release of his film Trojan Souls — The Greatest Album That Was Never Made, which features almost 90 minutes worth of recordings of the late Careless Whisper hitmaker in the recording studio in 1992 and 1993.
George’s estate have lodged a case at London’s Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court, claiming its rights have been breached, which Andros branded “a case of sheer greed”.
He told The Sun newspaper:
Andros said: “First and foremost — my brother in arms, my best friend, George Michael to you, Yog to me — would turn in his grave knowing what Russells (the estate’s lawyers) are attempting — and spending his money to do it.
“It is well known Yog and I were working on Trojan Souls through my record label, Hardback Records.
“The film I have released was shot by me, with Yog’s full approval.
“This was a home video leaked over 30 years ago.
“It kept resurfacing on YouTube.
“So I decided, if you can’t beat them, put the film out myself, since others were already profiting from my home video.”
Andros – who is charging fans £4.99 for 48 hours access to Trojan Souls – The Greatest Album That Was Never Made – insisted the last thing George’s estate would want is for him to speak out on the stand.
He said: “Yes, we fell out, but we loved and cared for each other deeply, and I find the baseless claims and the constant attempts to erase me from history both disrespectful and, frankly, a bit desperate.
“The film belongs to me.
“Trojan Souls belongs to me.
“They’ve opened Pandora’s Box.
“They won’t want me on the stand.
“I know way too much.
“Bring it on.”
Trojan Souls was set to feature duets with the likes of Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Bryan Ferry, Seal and Sade, but George – who died in December 2016 – is said to have lost interest in the record as his then-partner Anselmo Feleppa’s health declined, and following his lover’s death in March 1993, he never completed the record.
Andros had shot the video in Japan on George’s Faith tour using a camcorder given to him by Sony.
He and Tribe Media, who are distributing the film, are listed in the legal case by claimants Robobuild Limited and Big Geoff Overseas Limited, the holding companies George used to manage royalties and world tours.