George Michael makes live return

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Published on September 17th, 2012 | by News Desk

George Michael made his UK live return in Birmingham last night (16.09.12).

The singer appeared at the city’s LG Arena to perform his ‘Symphonica’ show, originally scheduled for last year but cancelled after he fell ill with pneumonia, which almost killed him.

He told fans: “I’m finally back.”

The singer was backed by a full orchestra, re-working many of his hits including ‘Through’, ‘Amazing’ and songs from his former group, Wham!, such as ‘I’m Your Man’ and ‘Freedom ’90′.

George also included a number of covers, including Rihanna’s ‘Russian Roulette’ and New Order’s ‘True Faith’.

Joking with the crowd, he told them: “You could have stayed at home and watched ‘The X Factor’ tonight. I may be 70-years-old but I can still do it.

“That might let people on to the fact that I actually watch ‘The X Factor’. I only watch it because my boyfriend likes it.”

George closed the show – his first full concert in the UK since making a full recovery – with his new single, ‘I Remember You’.

The 49-year-old star re-started his ‘Symphonica’ tour earlier this month in Vienna – where he was hospitalised when he fell ill – and donated 1,000 tickets to the doctors and nurses who helped him.

He told the crowd: “I’d like to take the opportunity to say that there are a number of people without whom none of us would be here tonight.

“This is one of the greatest honours of my life, to sing to the men and women who saved my life.”

The tour continues tonight with another date in Birmingham, before moving around the UK throughout October then heading to Australia in November.