George Michael was resurrected at the 2017 BRIT Awards to duet with Chris Martin as the Coldplay frontman paid tribute to the late music legend.
The BRITs remembered the ‘Careless Whisper’ hitmaker – who tragically passed away at the age of 53 last Christmas Day (25.12.16) – by inviting his former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley and the duo’s backing singers Helen ‘Pepsi’ DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman, known as Pepsi & Shirley, to give a speech in memory of George who they described as "the greatest singer/songwriter of his generation".
Andrew then introduced "one of the greatest singer/songwriters of his generation" Chris to the stage at The O2 in London.
Chris, 39, accompanied by just a piano player began singing George’s 1986 hit ‘A Different Corner’ and then midway through the performance a recording of George singing the same track was broadcast on a giant video screen and the pair sang in perfect harmony.
Poignant footage of George speaking was also aired as Chris sang.
Before the tribute, guests and fans in attendance at the show were asked to stay silent for the entirety of the performance.
At the end of the song the star-studded audience, which included the likes of Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Rag’n’Bone Man, Rita Ora and Charli XCX, rose as one to give a standing ovation.
Remembering George, Andrew, 54, had said: "We were two boys who shared a love of life-affirming music and a sense that we understood it. ‘Careless Whisper’ was the song that got us signed, showed his extraordinary talent and the song which launched his solo career … He understood love, loss and grief and in his music, he helped to heal the wounds life left on us."
George Michael resurrected at BRITs for duet with Chris Martin
