Brit Awards: Stars pay tribute to George Michael

Friends and artists paid tribute to the late George Michael at the Brit Awards, honouring the star's "spellbinding" performances.

Coldplay's Chris Martin performed a duet of sorts with the late singer, who died on Christmas Day last year.

Martin took to the stage to sing Michael's A Different Corner, before being joined by a clip of the late star playing in the background.

As the two voices merged together, clips from Michael's career were shown on the screen, leading to cheers from the audience.

Former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley and backing singers Helen 'Pepsi' DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman paid tribute to a "stunning" singer and "beloved friend" on stage before the performance.

"On Christmas Day 2016, the greatest singer-songwriter of his generation, an icon of his era and my beloved friend George Michael was lost," Ridgeley said, describing the singer as a "supernova".

"His death felt like the sky had fallen in," he said.

"We always knew George was destined to become a star in his own right," said Pepsi. "On tour we would watch him sing, his voice was stunning, pitch-perfect and his performances were spellbinding."

"George wrote from the heart and from his own experience and his many fans shared with me how his music changed their lives. His ability and desire to strike a chord and touch people, not only through his words and music, but through his actions too, was unique."

Holliman, holding back tears, said Michael was "like a brother to me".

"I will always be so proud of his incredible achievements," she said. "I remember him telling me with great pride that You'd Have Been Loved was one of Princess Diana's favourite songs.

"His wonderful way with words spoke to everyone, and his beautiful voice will live on forever as a gift to us all."

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Ridgeley finished the tribute, speaking of George Michael's contribution to "the great archive of contemporary music" and how it still "lives among the immortals".

"His legacy will continue to shine and resonate for generations to come," he said. "George has left for us in his songs, in the transcendental beauty of his voice, in the poetic expression of his soul, the very best of himself.

"I loved him, and in turn, we, you, have been loved."