The Police star, 71, revealed that while he wasn't close to George Michael, he had a lot of respect for the star's rise for pop star to "serious songwriter and artist".

Sting reveals the George Michael lyric he wishes he'd written: 'I love that line'

Sting

Here are 10 trailblazing artists that have made the LGBTQ+ community more visible in the world through their music.

10 iconic popstars who broke LGBT boundaries

Music

Midge Ure has revealed in a new interview that George Michael had a hand in increasing Band Aid's record sales - to the detriment of his own.

George Michael's Band Aid gesture: Midge Ure reveals Wham! star's incredible selfless act in 1984

Paul McCartney brought the house down when he invited George on stage to sing with him at Live 8.

When George Michael joined Paul McCartney for incredible rendition of a Beatles classic

Appearing on the famed TV show in 1999, George Michael closed the episode with a beautiful tribute to his friend of over twenty years, Martin Kemp.

When George Michael surprised an emotional Martin Kemp on 'This Is Your Life'

George Michael and Kate Bush

George Michael and Kate Bush win Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction vote

George Michael tops Smooth's All Time Top 500 for 2023

George Michael tops Smooth's All Time Top 500 for the sixth time - see the full chart

Music

In 1985, Wham! made history being the first Western act to perform in China.

How Wham! broke cultural barriers in 1985 with their history-making concerts in China

Wham! George Michael and Andrew Ridgley

Wham! announce stunning singles box set Echoes from the Edge of Heaven

George's cover version of a Bonnie Raitt classic was poignant because of the love he lost.

When George Michael broke hearts with his beautiful cover of a Bonnie Raitt classic

Concert For Linda celebrated the life and work of Linda McCartney after she lost her battle to cancer in 1998.

Concert For Linda: Remembering Paul McCartney's loving tribute to wife Linda after she died

Paul McCartney

'Freedom! 90' was Robbie William's debut solo single.

When Robbie Williams paid tribute to his hero and friend George Michael only days after his passing

Robbie Williams

Wham! were hugely successful, and had fun getting there.

When a teenage Wham! proved their comic credentials in cute early promo video for 'Young Guns'

Wham's greatest songs ever

Wham!'s 10 greatest songs ever, ranked

George Michael greatly admired Amy Winehouse and called her a "fantastic talent".

George Michael revealed there was one Amy Winehouse song he couldn’t live without

George bought a beautiful 16th century house in the Oxfordshire countryside in 2001, a place he shared with his longtime partner Kenny Goss.

George Michael's home: Singer gives video tour of idyllic country house where he spent final hours

George Michael was reportedly putting his affairs in order in the lead up to his death, his physician claims.

George Michael's physician says star 'knew he was dying' and 'was getting affairs in order'

George Michael and Kenny Goss in 2005

Who is George Michael's ex-boyfriend Kenny Goss?