George Michael's childhood friend, Andros Georgiou, has spoken out about his friend's tragic death on Christmas eve. Andros - who grew up with George, with the two referring to each other as cousins - told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire he thinks it was likely a tragic accident.
George passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 53. A post-mortem examination was determined to be "inconclusive", and further tests are being carried out to determine what led to his death, which is not being treated as suspicious.
George Michael's 'cousin' Andros Georgiou has linked the star's death to a drugs overdose
Andros said he firmly believes that the star's death was not suicide. "I believe he had suicidal thoughts, because his mental health was all over the place. But I don't believe this was suicide," he said. "I just think he took too much of something, mixed with antidepressants – with alcohol. I think his heart just stopped beating."
Andros – who became estranged from the singer in 1998 - added that he hopes to "get to the truth of what happened". He said he had spoken to people who were close to George at the end of his life, and believed he was "actually getting better… He was trying to lead a normal life again".
George passed away on Christmas Day aged 53
Following numerous reports of acts of kindness by George that have come to light following his death, Andros recalled driving around with the singer in London on Christmas Eve "with two Range Rovers full of food… and feed all the homeless".
He also said that on one occasion, when George was unable to attend a charity auction for the Elton John Aids Foundation, the singer had told him to "just buy everything" when it became clear others were not bidding for items.