Family joins hospital vigil at George Michael's bedside as he battles pneumonia

By Ben Todd and Tom Kelly



George Michael’s family are today at the stricken star’s hospital bedside in Vienna.

The singer, who is suffering from severe pneumonia, has been joined by his 75-year-old father Kyriacos Panayiotou – known as Jack Panos – as well as sisters Melanie, 49 and Yioda, 53.

His former boyfriend, art dealer Kenny Goss, is also due to join the group in the Austrian capital.

A close friend told the Mail: ‘His whole family are with him. They are very close-knit.

‘George is just such a lucky man in that sense. He’s so adored.’

The 48-year-old star’s boyfriend, hair stylist Fadi Fawaz, has kept a bedside vigil since the singer fell ill on Monday last week.

Mr Fawaz, 38, appeared tired and drawn as he left the hospital during the weekend.

He was accompanied by two women, believed to be Michael’s sisters, one of whom held her head in her hands waiting in the lobby at the AKH hospital.

A hospital spokesman yesterday declined to comment on the singer’s condition.


Hour of need: The singer with his father, Kyriacos Panayiotou, who is at the hospital along with the star's sisters


Speaking of 53-year-old Goss, Michael’s partner for 13 years until 2009, the friend continued: ‘Kenny of course is very concerned. He has been in touch every day. They will always be the best of friends.’

The AKH is Europe’s largest hospital with 1,600 doctors, including world experts in pneumonia who are treating Michael in the intensive care unit using a Triadyne Proventa bed, designed for critical cases.

Michael fell ill last week hours before he was due on stage in the city, and on Friday cancelled the rest of his Symphonica tour.


source:dailymail