When pop megastar on Day in 2016 his cause of death was deemed to be “natural causes” as the result of heart disease and a fatty liver.
His issues with drugs were well documented and the post-mortem examination revealed he was also suffering from a number of other underlying problems, including dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart disease referenced in the report.
Also known as DCM, dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle and up to half of the cases diagnosed are caused by an inherited faulty gene.
The condition affects about one in 2,500 people and is a major cause of heart failure. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling in the legs and abdomen.
Around half of DCM patients die within five years of their diagnosis which is typically done using echocardiography, which uses sound waves that can image the heart and assess how well it is pumping.
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George Michael died on Christmas Day in 2016 (Image: Getty)
The post-mortem also showed the Last Christmas singer was suffering with a fatty liver. This condition has since been renamed Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
It is caused by a buildup of fat which, as the title suggests, is stored in the liver and can lead to liver inflammation, cirrhosis and if not managed properly eventually liver cancer.
It is often linked to metabolic risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, which would tie in with his heart condition revelation.
Although police initially investigated George’s “unexplained but non-suspicious” death there was no coroner’s inquest or further inquiries following the release of the official cause. In Britain, inquests are only held to determine the facts of unexplained deaths.
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George Michael achieved worldwide fame in his solo career after Wham! disbanded (Image: Getty)
One person who is not convinced by official explanations for George’s death is than “natural causes”.
George’s childhood friend has linked the singer’s death to drugs and said he believed it was an accident.
“I think his heart just stopped beating,” he said.
Mr Georgiou, an ex-music producer who toured with George until their falling out in 1998, said he wanted “to get to the truth of what happened, exactly what was in his blood at the time, who gave it [the drugs] to him, why did he have it again”.
“It’s time the truth was told. Many fans will be shocked but something drives every superstar, it’s not always a positive reason,” he said. The true reason which drove George to become a superstar…escape. A secret we held all his life, one that haunted him and drove him to his premature death.”
He claimed George’s family have been aware of the reason for decades and that the estate has spurred him on to tell the story which he is planning to do in an as yet to be released film.
“I have to thank the estate for putting me on the right track…I was debating whether to include my full story but now I have no doubt,” Mr Georgiou said in October. “It’s time the reason was laid bare…my film will shock many fans but not our respective families who have been aware of the truth for decades and ripped us all apart.”