George Michael fans' fury after Andy Kershaw slams 'hysterical over-reaction' to star's death

PA
Mark Chandler28 December 2016

Radio DJ Andy Kershaw has provoked the wrath of George Michael fans after calling the response to the star's death a "hysterical over-reaction".

In a Facebook post, since deleted, the ex-BBC host called the singer a "frivolous, glib, and fleeting pop star", insisting he was not "one of the greats".

After news of the singer's death on Christmas Day broke, he wrote: "Here we go, again...

"Brace yourselves for the now routine hysterical over-reaction, and obligatory bogus sentimentality, which always – these days – follows the unfortunate premature deaths of these figures, regardless of how flimsy, insignificant and lightweight their cultural contribution happened to be."

He went on: "I'm very sorry George Michael has died young. But please spare me the predictable onion-from-pocket outpourings, claiming he was 'one of the greats'.

"No, he was not. (Really? Up there with Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Joni Michell, Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Van Morrison? I could go on…)

"George Michael was, in reality, a very successful, yet frivolous, glib and fleeting pop star.

"Can we please keep a sense of proportion?"

George Michael - In pictures

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His comments provoked outrage on social media with fans slamming his "insensitive" comments and one branding him the "northern Katie Hopkins".

Keith Miller wrote: "Do us a favour, Andy, can you publish the list of artists it would be OK to grieve, just in case we get it wrong again."

John Farrington said: 'Over the top and pretty insensitive, Andy.

"Maybe he wasn't great to you in the likes of Hank Williams, but to many he was great - you're in no position to take that away from anybody."

And Abigail Dombey said: "I thought you were great when I was young. Now I know you're a bitter angry man.

"George Michael was worth a hundred of you."

Meanwhile, flowers, cards and tributes have continued to pile-up outside the singer's home following his shock death.

Stars including close friend Elton John, Mariah Carey and Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley are rumoured to be planning a Freddie Mercury-style concert in tribute to the star.

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