George Michael signs multi-million pound deal for 'no holds barred' memoirs

George Michael has signed a multimillion-pound deal to pen a "no-holds-barred" autobiography, it was announced today.

HarperCollins said former Wham! star Michael, 44, would write the "access-all-areas" autobiography "entirely himself".

Publishers said the deal is "one of the biggest ever concluded in UK publishing", but would not divulge figures.

Scroll down for more...

The book, dubbed "one of the hottest remaining untold celebrity memoirs", will cover the pop star's personal and professional life and will hit the shelves in autumn next year.

Michael's manager Andy Stephens said: "George has promised HarperCollins a no-holds-barred biography, and it's certain to be just that.

"People aren't stupid, they're beginning to notice that the truth is more interesting than the stories the press come up with."

Belinda Budge, managing director and publisher of Harper NonFiction UK, said: "This is an incredibly exciting publishing event.

"George is one of the best known and best loved pop singers in the world, with an extraordinary story to tell.

"I am particularly thrilled by this deal, as I have long been a fan of George's. "Most importantly, this really will be a truly authentic book - and an exceptional one, as he's going to be writing it entirely himself."

The deal comes after Michael's greatest hits tour celebrating more than 20 years in pop.

Last year, the Careless Whisper singer was also sentenced to 100 hours' community service for driving while unfit through drugs.

Police found his Mercedes stopped at traffic lights with Michael slumped at the wheel, drooling and sweating.

Blood tests showed a cocktail of drugs including an antidepressant, sleeping pill, cannabis and the illegal dance club drug GHB.

The book will be published in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India.

In 2005, Michael released a documentary about his life, A Different Story.