George Michael's childhood friend Andros Georgiou believes the singer passed away as a result of an accidental drugs overdose.

He told BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme that drugs "had been back in [Michael’s] life" and that crack cocaine was a "favourite". However, Georgiou denied Michael had been taking heroin.

The music icon died aged 53 on Christmas Day and while it had been reported he died of heart failure, tests have so far been inconclusive.

Gerogiou, who was referred to as a cousin by Michael, added: "I just think he took too much of something, mixed with antidepressants and other drugs he was on - with alcohol. I think his heart just stopped beating."

He said after speaking to people close to Michael, he believed the singer had been "dragged back into the dark side".

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