Andrew Ridgeley slams ‘murky and insensitive’ Channel 5 documentary about George Michael

Andrew Ridgeley has slammed Channel 5 for a ‘murky and insensitive’ documentary about his former Wham! bandmate, George Michael.

The musician hit out at the filmmakers in a series of angry tweets as the programme aired on Thursday night, describing them as ‘reprehensible’.

Ridgeley said the broadcaster’s decision to air the film about the late singer before of his funeral wasn’t ‘respectful’.

“½ @channel5_tv 2 conceive such a sensationalist & mucky piece of voyeurism may be par 4 the course for u, the decision to air b4 GM’s,” he wrote on Thursday.

“2/2 funeral is insensitive, contemptuous & reprehensible. U might have the had decency 2 schedule post funeral & after a respectful period,” he added.

The documentary, titled The Last Days of George Michael, featured interviews with friends, neighbours and colleagues as well as previously un-aired segments of a 2006 interview with the star.

In the interviews, Michael talks about his reluctance to be in front of the camera, saying: “Believe me I don’t want to do this interview. Chances are when you see me in front of the camera, I don’t want to be there.”

A number of viewers also hit out at the documentary on Twitter, with one person writing: “#georgemichael documentary on @channel5_tv was disgusting, tasteless and cruel. Made a genuine man look like a monster.”

“Channel 5 doc made me really angry at portrayal of #GeorgeMichael, who in contrast to what the disgusting, gutter press screamed, was a +,” another posted.

Iconic musician Michael tragically passed away at his home on Christmas Day 2016, and is expected to be laid to arrest in the next few days.

Evening Standard Online has contacted Channel 5 for comment.