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Elton John claims George Michael was 'uncomfortable' with being gay

Elton John has claimed that George Michael “didn’t want to live” in the days before his death in 2016, and that the Faith singer never came to terms with being gay.

Appearing on US talkshow, The Talk, John recalled how he tried to help his friend with his struggles.

“He couldn’t get it, George. And he resented the fact that I had hinted that maybe he change his life a little bit and he’d be happier if he tried something else,” the iconic musician said.

George Michael and Elton John at party against AIDS at the Moulin Rouge cabaret on October 11, 1994 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
George Michael and Elton John at party against AIDS at the Moulin Rouge cabaret on October 11, 1994 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

"The person has actually got to want it. It’s like me in the end; I really wanted it. I had two alternatives: one, to die, and one to live, and I wanted to live. But that’s the difference if you want it, and poor George didn’t want it.”

Read more: Elton John reveals cancer battle that left him 24 hours from death

Recalling the moment he discovered that Michael had passed away on Christmas Day in 2016, John told Sharon Osbourne who was sitting on the panel: “I remember talking to you the day he died on Christmas Day, and I phoned you, and I was in Aspen and Ozzy got on the phone, and he said, ‘He didn’t want to be here.’ And I thought that’s the most succinct apt thing: he didn’t want to be here.”

"He was so uncomfortable in his skin about being gay even though he said he wasn’t.”

George Michael & Elton John (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
George Michael & Elton John (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)

During his time on the show, John also spoke about how he overcame his demons.

Read more: Sir Elton John celebrates 29 years of sobriety

“We all make terrible mistakes, and some of us are addicts when we are born, and we have to battle that addiction, but you can turn the corner and you can get help and it’s been the most wonderful decision I’ve made,” he said.

“Part of your recovery was helping people who wanted help. But also, other people around me didn’t want me to be sober: my mother, my personal assistant, my manager, because they lost control, or they began to lose control.

“But yeah, the whole point of sobriety is that when you get sober, you help other people. It’s a fellowship,” he added.