WHAM - GEORGE MICHAEL SETS WEDDING DATE

Former WHAM! star GEORGE MICHAEL is to 'marry' partner KENNY GOSS on their 10th anniversary later this year (06). Despite hitting out at SIR ELTON JOHN in an interview with British chat show host MICHAEL PARKINSON to be aired on Saturday (22APR06), the I'M YOUR MAN hitmaker revealed he would follow in his former pal's footsteps by entering into a civil partnership with his gay lover. Michael added he is eager to enjoy the same legal protection as heterosexual couples by getting "legally hitched". The singer revealed his homosexuality in 1998, after being arrested for lewd conduct in a Los Angeles public bathroom. He announced his engagement to Goss last November (05) ahead of Britain's December law permitting same-sex unions.