Andrew Ridgeley anxious George Michael would die of AIDS when he got here out as homosexual.
The 56-year-old singer’s Wham! bandmate – who handed away in December 2016 from coronary heart and liver issues – confided in him about his sexuality in 1983, and whereas the ‘Careless Whisper’ singer was involved popping out publicly would finish his goals of competing with main stars equivalent to Michael Jackson and Madonna, Andrew had different fears.
Andrew wrote in his new e-book ‘Wham!: George & Me’: ”A horrible extra fear was the emergence of AIDS.
”I do know I wasn’t the one pal of George’s who anxious about him throughout that unsure, scary interval.”
Andrew recalled the second George confided in him about his sexuality, which got here after they completed filming their ‘Club Tropicana’ video at Pike’s Hotel, Ibiza.
George requested his pal to come back to his room, the place he additionally discovered their backing singer, Shirlie Holliman.
He recalled in an extract from e-book revealed by The Sun: ”When I walked throughout the hallway to George’s room, Shirlie was already there, perched on a big couch within the suite. George was nonetheless in mattress. He smiled as I got here in.
”The temper within the room was so relaxed and acquainted, but what George was about to disclose was clearly an enormous deal for him.
”’I did not know whether or not to let you know this’, he mentioned, wanting throughout at Shirlie. But I’m going to. I’m homosexual’.”
Andrew later realized that George had already confided in Shirlie – who’s married to Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp – and was anxious about telling his bandmate, however she reassured him that he would not care.
Andrew admitted he was stunned however solely wished his pal to be glad and his confession made him realise why his pal had by no means had a severe girlfriend.
