Eight years after his death, George Michael has been nominated for another Ivor Novello Award.
The Careless Whisper hitmaker had strong ties with the organisation, as the only individual songwriter in history to receive the prestigious Songwriter of the Year award three times – in 1985, 1989 and 1997 – the first of which saw him become the youngest ever recipient of an Ivor Novello when was just 21 years old.
Almost three decades on from his most-recent win, the late star, who passed away on December 25, 2016, he’s being recognised in the ceremony’s Most Performed Work category as songwriter on Wham!’s Last Christmas.
The nomination celebrates the continued success of the 1984 hit, which took the UK Christmas No. 1 spot for a second consecutive year for its 40th anniversary in 2024, and sees the artist as the only single nominee, among a selection of collaborative works.
Last year also saw the track earn its highest spot yet on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3.
The Ivor Novello Awards 2025 take place in London on May 22, marking the ceremony’s 70th anniversary. The full list of nominees for the PRS for Music Most Performed Work award at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards is below.
As It Was – Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles
Houdini – Caroline Ailin, Danny L Harle, Tobias Jesso Jnr, Dua Lipa and Kevin Parker
Prada – D-Block Europe, Obi Ebele (Da Beatfreakz), Uche Ebele (Da Beatfreakz), Jahmori ‘Jaymo’ Simmons and RAYE
Stargazing – by Peter Fenn, Jesse Fink and Myles Smith