Jake Shears and Calum Scott are among the stars who have recorded covers of classic George Michael tracks in celebration of Pride Month. 

MNEK, Billy Porter and Olly Alexander have also contributed to the project in association with Apple Music. 

Of his recording of George’s 1998 UK No. 2 hit Outside, the Years & Years star said:  “One of the things I love most about George Michael was his ability to own his narrative.

“I’m sure he struggled with some of the attention and issues that come with worldwide fame, and he still remained so iconic, so true to who he was. He still had fun with it.”

Self Esteem, Pale Waves, Tiana Major9 and Serpentwithfeet have also contributed covers of Faith, Careless Whisper, Fastlove, and other tracks. 

It comes after George’s friend and collaborator David Austin revealed there are “a few tracks that were finished” by the singer before his death on December 25, 2016 that have yet to be released.

“There are three or four recordings that were complete, George Michael finished [and] mastered recordings,” he said during a screening of ‘George Michael: Freedom Uncut’ in London on June 13. “That’s what we’ve got.”

On whether there was anything else that “could” be released in the future, he teased: “There might be…

“We’re not going to ever, ever do [a full album],” he added. “I remember just after Amy [Winehouse] had passed away, they put that album out, you know what I mean? And they pulled all these fucking demos out of the drawer and started getting people involved. I think they did the same with [Michael] Jackson, didn’t they? 

“We would never ever do that. George’s complete body of work is his body of work. That’s what we have to work with.”

Explore the life and career of George Michael in the July 2022 edition of Retro Pop, featuring commentary from James Gavin, biographer and author of ‘George Michael: A Life’.

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