People News

George Michael's Christmas gift: Grateful for life

By April MacIntyre Dec 23, 2011, 21:01 GMT

On the mend: British singer George Michael performs on stage at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, 14 October 2011. George Michael is currently on a European tour. EPA/ALESSANDRO DELLA BELLA

Singer George Michael survived a virulent form of pneumonia, and today tearfully thanked his doctors and fans for seeing him through a "touch and go" fight for his life.

Michael, weakened and visibly thinner from his illness, told reporters outside his home in north London that he wasn't supposed to speak for very long and was still recovering from a tracheotomy.

"I got streptococca-something...It's a form of pneumonia and they spent three weeks keeping me alive basically," Michael told reporters about his Austrian hospital stay.

"I'm very weak but I feel amazing," he said as he stood in front of a lit-up Christmas tree.

Michael had been in the middle of a European tour when he became ill and was forced to cancel some dates.

"It was basically by far the worst month of my life but I'm incredibly, incredibly fortunate to be here," he said. "If I wasn't spiritual enough before the last four, five weeks then I certainly am now."

Michael shared he downplayed his illness in the press: "I didn't want to worry my fans too much and I'm really sorry that I couldn't contact them in any way before now but I was really not in any state to," he said.

He added that he also wanted to hold a special show for the Austrian doctors who treated him.

"I've spent the last 10 days since I woke up literally thanking people for saving my life, which is something I've never had to do before and never want to have to do again," he said.