Celebrity Mound

George Michael was arrested Friday for allegedly possessing crack cocaine and marijuana, BBC News reports.

The singer, 45, was busted in a bathroom in London’s Hampstead Heath area after an attendant tipped police.

He was released with a warning, termed a “caution” in the U.K.

“We can confirm a 45-year-old man was arrested in the Hampstead Heath area on the 19th of September on the suspicion of possessing drugs,” a Scotland Yard spokesman said. “He was taken to a North London police station where he received a caution and was released with no further action. The caution was for the possession of Class A and Class C drugs, cocaine and cannabis.”

It is unclear why he has been given a relatively mild punishment for the possession of class A drugs.

In a statement Michael said: “I want to apologise to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them I’ll sort myself out. And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them.”

It isn’t Michael’s first drug bust.

He was found slumped over the wheel of his car in London in 2006 (he later admitted driving while unfit due to drugs).

He opened up about his drug problems last year, telling BBC radio that he was aware he smoked too much marijuana and was trying to fight his addiction.

“In a strange way I’ve spent the last 15 to 20 years trying to derail my own career, but it never seems to suffer,” he said. “I suffer like crazy. I’ve suffered bereavements and public humiliations, but my career always seems to right itself like a plastic duck in the bath.”

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Who knew George Michael – known more lately for his boozy arrests and trysts with prostitutes than his singing – was such an art collector? In the past month, the superstar has spent $20 million on pieces by controversial shark-pickler Damien Hirst, among others, boosting the value of his personal collection up to a whopping $80 million. A source close to the 43-year-old star, who opens the new Wembley Stadium with two dates next month, tells us: “George is hugely into his art. He made a lot of money from his 53-date tour last year and he thought this would be a good way to invest it. He’s chosen pieces by Damien, photographer David LaChapelle and Tracey Emin. They wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste but they’re hugely collectible and are certain to go up in value.” Michael will exhibit some of the works in partner Kenny Goss’ gallery in Dallas. Meanwhile, Michael was outbid Thursday during a heated auction at Christie’s for a Hirst piece. A source said Michael dropped out after the price hit $6 million. His rep declined to comment.

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Pop star George Michael has vigorously defended his right to drive in court, despite being found slumped at the wheel of his car in London last year. Following the incident, the star was arrested on suspicion of being ‘unfit to drive’ and for possession of what was believed to be cannabis.

He was charged with being ‘unfit to drive’ shortly before Christmas. Earlier today his lawyer Keima Payton, representing the absent star at Brent Magistrates’ Court in London, said Michael pleads not guilty.

George Michael is a pop perv with earning power. The ’80s hit machine, notoriously busted for a lewd act in a Beverly Hills men’s room, raked in a staggering $3 million for a private, hourlong New Year’s Eve performance in Russia. Michael’s flack won’t name the tycoon who shelled out the rubles, but crowed to London’s Evening Standard that he’s now the “highest-paid entertainer in modern Russian history.” Maybe, but the Rolling Stones are still the world champs – they reportedly got $8.5 million to do a birthday show for Texas billionaire financier David Bonderman in 2002. Whether Michael, 43, whose hits include “I Want Your Sex,” will be able to enjoy his new wealth right away is anybody’s guess. He’s due before a judge in Britain next week after being found slumped over the steering wheel of his car last October, allegedly in possession of marijuana and unfit to drive. He faces up to six months if convicted. Last February, Michael was warned by police for possession of marijuana.

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Pop star George Michael reportedly expressed his love of cannabis while smoking the drug during a recent British TV interview.

The troubled singer, 43, lit a joint before a concert in Madrid as he conducted an interview for UK arts magazine programme The South Bank Show – and claimed the substance kept him “sane and happy”.

He told interviewer Melvyn Bragg, “This is the only drug I’ve ever thought worth taking but you have to wait. It never occurred to me to take even this until I was about 22 or 23.

“This stuff keeps me sane and happy. I could write without it… if I were sane and happy.

“I’d say it’s a great drug – but obviously it’s not very healthy. You can’t afford to smoke it if you’ve got anything to do. Anything at all would be foolish”.

But he admitted it could also be a “terrible, terrible drug”, insisting it can “chill you out to such a degree that you could lose your ambitions”.

George Michael reportedly expressed his love of cannabis while smoking the drug during a recent British TV interview. The troubled singer, 43, lit a joint before a concert in Madrid as he conducted an interview for U.K. arts magazine program “The South Bank Show” and claimed the substance kept him “sane and happy.”

He told interviewer Melvyn Bragg, “This is the only drug I’ve ever thought worth taking but you have to wait. It never occurred to me to take even this until I was about 22 or 23. This stuff keeps me sane and happy. I could write without it…if I were sane and happy. I’d say it’s a great drug – but obviously it’s not very healthy. You can’t afford to smoke it if you’ve got anything to do. Anything at all would be foolish.”

But he admitted it could also be a “terrible, terrible drug”, insisting it can “chill you out to such a degree that you could lose your ambitions”.

The show will be broadcast on British TV network ITV later this month.

Eighties pop duo Wham! are reforming for a one-off Christmas extravaganza twenty years after their split, according to newspaper reports.

Singer George Michael has persuaded his former partner-in-pop Andrew Ridgeley to reunite for a festive concert at London’s Wembley Arena.

They will be joined on stage by their original backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie.

A friend revealed to British newspaper The Sunday Mirror, “George is thrilled that Andrew’s agreed to perform.

“It was something George had thought about for a long time. He couldn’t be happier and can’t wait for the gig”.

British pop star George Michael insists he doesn’t have a drug problem, despite being arrested for alleged marijuana possession for the second time in a year on Sunday.

The former Wham! singer, 43, was found asleep at the wheel on his car at an intersection in north London in the early hours of Sunday morning and was taken to a nearby hospital by concerned police officers.

After being given the all-clear by doctors, Michael returned to Colindale police station, where he was booked on suspicion of being unfit to drive and drug possession before being released on bail until November.

Earlier this year, the singer was cautioned after he was found slumped in his car in central London and was found to be in possession of marijuana.

Despite his arrests, Michael insists he doesn’t have a drug problem, saying, “That’s the second time in a year I’ve been caught with one unused spliff in the car. I had no drink or drugs in my body.

“I haven’t got a problem with drugs.”