British pop singer George Michael and
long-time boyfriend Kenny Goss have split.
Michael announced the break up during
an emotional performance on Monday at the opulent Prague State Opera,
the Reuters news service reported.
The singer shared with the audience
that he and Goss separated two-and-a-half years ago. He said Goss'
struggles with alcohol had driven a wedge between the pair.
“My battles with substances are well
documented and my partner went through similar problems with drink,”
Michael told the audience.
Michael most recently pleaded guilty to
driving under the influence of drugs during a July 4 car accident, in
which he crashed his Range Rover into a Snappy Snaps 1 hour photo
shop in north London. He was given an 8-week jail sentence and fined
nearly $2,000 in September.
“The truth is my love life has been a
lot more turbulent than I have let on,” he added during the
introduction of his new track Where I Hope You Are, which he
said was inspired by the split. “This is probably the first
break-up song I've written.”
Monday's performance was the first of
195 concerts on his recently announced Symphonica tour, which
pairs the former Wham! singer with prominent orchestras. With the
accompaniment of the Czech National Symphony, Michael paid tribute to
the late Amy Winehouse, singing a cover of her trademark track Love
is a Losing Game.