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George Michael's Generous Side Revealed, As Fans And Friends Pay Tribute To Singer

The pop star is said to have funded the IVF treatment of a Deal or No Deal contestant.
The pop star's philanthropy has added to millions of dollars with many charities.
Eddie Keogh / Reuters
The pop star's philanthropy has added to millions of dollars with many charities.

George Michael's behind-the-scenes generosity has been put in the spotlight in the outpouring of tributes in the wake of the pop star's death.

UK television presenter Richard Osman claims Michael donated money to a women who needed funds for IVF. She was on the game show 'Deal Or No Deal' when Michael called to donate the money the next day.

Journalist Sali Hughes said Michael tipped a barmaid £5000 because she was a student nurse. She added on Twitter that he would host free concerts for nurses and was the only celebrity contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire who would pay any lost cash.

Grieving fans have been laying floral tributes outside his homes in north London and Goring, England. The 53-year-old died of apparent heart failure while sleeping, and was found on Christmas Day. The official cause of death is not known.

Tributes are seen outside the house of singer George Michael, where he died on Christmas Day, in Goring, southern England, Britain December 26, 2016. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
Eddie Keogh / Reuters
Tributes are seen outside the house of singer George Michael, where he died on Christmas Day, in Goring, southern England, Britain December 26, 2016. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Reports indicate the pop star's philanthropy has added to millions of dollars with many charities announcing Michael as a significant behind-the-scenes donor. Childline founder Esther Rantzen told the Press Association Michael gave his royalties from his Jesus To A Child to the charity.

"Over the years he gave us millions and we were planning next year, as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations to create, we hoped, a big concert in tribute to him to his artistry, to his wonderful musicality but also to thank him for the hundreds of thousands of children he helped," she told the Press Association.

A woman and child look at tributes outside the house of singer George Michael, where he died on Christmas Day, in Goring, southern England, Britain December 26, 2016. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
Eddie Keogh / Reuters
A woman and child look at tributes outside the house of singer George Michael, where he died on Christmas Day, in Goring, southern England, Britain December 26, 2016. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

He was a significant spokesperson for the LGBTQ community, donating the proceeds from 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' to Aids hospice London Lighthouse.

Pat Cash wrote on Twitter that he visited a children's hospital with Michael under one condition: no press or media.

Many other philanthropists and celebrities have been posting tributes on social media since the news Michael's death.

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