WHAM - TROUBLED MICHAEL ANNOUNCES TOUR

Former WHAM! star GEORGE MICHAEL has unveiled plans for a greatest hits tour, just days after his high-profile three-car smash in London (16APR06). It will be the singer's first tour in 15 years, and comes amid huge scrutiny of his troubled professional and personal life. Earlier this week (begs17APR06) Michael was warned by a former singing partner that his alleged addiction to cannabis could kill him. TOBY BOURKE, who recorded with Michael in the 1990s on tracks including WALTZ AWAY DREAMING, claimed the drug had already destroyed the star's career - and could have a similar effect on his personal life. The 25 LIVE tour kicks off with dates in Spain from 27 September (06) and will conclude in the UK in December (06). A statement from the singer's management promises, "A celebration of his 25-year career in music, a career that has brought us some of the world's most loved songs and marked Michael out as one of the globe's brightest stars." George Michael will combine the 50 concerts with the release of a greatest hits album, containing four new tracks.