George Michael shrine is more mess than memorial

Residents fear tributes to the late pop star have gone out of control, amid calls to replace them with statue

FOR almost a year, the shrine outside George Michael’s imposing Georgian home has spilt on to the street, a sea of increasingly bedraggled flowers, photographs, flags and candles.

But as the anniversary of the singer’s death fast approaches, the array of paraphernalia, as well as the accompanying throngs, is creating friction among some of his well-heeled former neighbours in the exclusive north London enclave of Highgate Village.

Conservationists have expressed frustration about the “appalling mess” and “visual clutter” that has become increasingly muddy and unsightly with the onset of winter.

Fans had fought a campaign for a life-size bronze statue to be erected on Michael’s land outside the property, a move backed by his record label, Sony, and local councillors who were keen to replace the soggy shrine with something more sightly. But the family has quietly decided against it because the singer would have considered such a gesture “embarrassing”.

John Vasiliou, a 51-year-old driving instructor from north London, who delivered to Downing Street a petition for a statue with more than 5,000 signatures, said he had been in sporadic contact with Michael’s close relatives.

“The family, at the moment, do not want to go for a statue,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “If they aren’t up for it, then I wouldn’t push for it. His sister Melanie calls the shots and as far as I know, she doesn’t want it. She said George was a very private person and it would have embarrassed him.

“His father originally said he was up for it and said money was no object, but I think she’s in charge and the decision was made. He didn’t want to fall out with his daughters.”

Mr Vasiliou added: “George was a local boy and I wanted to have something for him to be remembered, to keep his legacy going, but only if the family wanted it.”

When Michael died on Christmas Day last year, he was said to have left the majority of his £105million estate to his favourite elder sister, a hairdresser and make-up artist. It included the Highgate property that is currently occupied by his cousin – who looks after his dog, Abby – and a close friend.

Mr Vasiliou said groups of dedicated fans religiously tended to the shrine, replacing the flowers and trying to keep it tidy. But he acknowledged that it had become “very muddy and dangerous” in recent weeks.

Susan Rose, chairman of the Highgate Conservation Area advisory committee, said the shrine had become a growing problem for Highgate residents.

“The land belongs to the estate but that’s the problem, there’s nothing we can do,” she said. “One wonders what George Michael would think of it all outside the beautiful home that he looked after so well, and right where he had erected a wonderful Christmas tree every year.

“Jamie Oliver and Jude Law live nearby. I can’t imagine they are overly happy about it at all.”

Mrs Rose said no action had been taken as the committee did not want to upset a grieving family, but said the anniversary could be the opportunity to make a change: “Perhaps the best tribute would be to clear up this mess, mend the fence and have a new start.”