Pictured: Moment singer George Michael was airlifted to hospital following rush-hour crash on the M1 in new road drama

The M1 near St Albans, Herts, was closed for an hour and the air ambulance took him to hospital
The 49-year-old was a passenger in a Range Rover when it crashed
Crash happened on the M1 near the junction for the M25 at 5.50pm last night
He was airlifted to a specialist trauma centre with a suspected head injury
Singer is still in hospital receiving treatment for 'cuts and bruises'

PUBLISHED: 08:21 EST, 17 May 2013 | UPDATED: 04:12 EST, 18 May 2013

George Michael is used to delivering show-stopping performances when he takes to the stage.

But on Thursday, the stage was the M1 near St Albans, Hertfordshire, which was closed after the singer was involved in a crash in his Range Rover during rush hour.

Michael was recovering last night after being airlifted to hospital with a head injury following the accident.

Worry: The M1 is brought to a standstill as George Michael is checked after a crash in his Range Rover

An ambulance crew was so concerned at the 49-year-old’s condition that a helicopter was summoned, and the motorway was closed for half an hour while it landed to take Michael away.

Although the ambulance service said he suffered a head injury, Michael was well enough to be discharged from hospital last night.

No other vehicle was involved in the incident, which happened just before 6pm near the junction with the M25.

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His spokesman Connie Filippello said: ‘George Michael was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a traffic accident, no third party was involved. He is being treated for superficial cuts and bruises but is fine. We have no further comment at this time.’

Singer George Michael, pictured ahead of his sentencing for driving under the influence of drugs at Highbury magistrates court, was injured in a car crash last night

The singer, who has enjoyed a successful solo career since finding fame in the 1980s duo Wham!, is banned from driving.

Three years ago he was jailed for eight weeks for crashing a Range Rover into a shop in north London while under the influence of drugs.

GEORGE MICHAEL'S EVENTFUL AUTOMOTIVE PAST

In July 2010 George Michael famously crashed his Range Rover into a shop in north London.

the following September he received an eight-week prison sentence.

He was also given a five-year driving ban after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis.

The star had earlier been banned from driving for two years and sentenced to 100 hours of community service in 2006.

He had been convicted of driving while unfit through drugs after he was found collapsed in his Mercedes.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years, having served a two-year ban imposed in 2006 when he was convicted of driving while on drugs after being found slumped in his Mercedes.

Speaking at the singer’s home in Highgate, North London, last night, Michael’s boyfriend Fadi Fawaz, 39, said: ‘He is perfectly fine. Of course I was worried, but I have spoken to him and he is good.
‘He suffered a few bruises but there is nothing to worry about. I have no idea what happened, I wasn’t there.’

Hertfordshire Police said: ‘The exact circumstances of what happened are unclear at this time, and until further investigations have been carried out it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.’

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said that a 49-year-old man ‘sustained a head injury and following treatment, stabilisation and immobilisation by land and air ambulance crews, he was flown to hospital for further care’.

Only 18 months ago, Michael – real name Georgios Panayiotou – spent a month fighting for his life in an Austrian hospital after a severe bout of pneumonia. He fell ill while preparing for a concert in Vienna, and needed a tracheotomy to keep him breathing when he slipped into a coma.

The singer, pictured performing on his Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour, was treated for minor cuts and bruises

The singer, pictured performing on his Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour, is still being treated in hospital for 'minor cuts and bruises'

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I am glad to see he's made a recovery...and due to the nasty comments on here I am sure he will make a donation as he is infact a very carring and thankful human being.

- Mich , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, 18/5/2013 14:24

Click to rate Rating 55

I wonder how long it will be before we see the reason for the R/Rover crashing?? I bet there is more to this story than is being told today....

- den101151 , SHEPPERTON, 18/5/2013 14:16

Click to rate Rating 31

Who would have thought in the 80's George Michael would have had such a troubled life?

- MarinaKennedy , London, United Kingdom, 18/5/2013 14:12

Click to rate Rating 39

Push crash to side of motorway and get it open fast

- james , london, 18/5/2013 14:10

Click to rate Rating 31

Bam

- james , london, 18/5/2013 14:09

Click to rate Rating 1

Those who are saying he didn't get special treatment are wrong - he did! My family were in a 7 car pile up very near that location a few months ago. Young children were in the cars some of which were written off. Only one ambulance came for about 20 people and the children were taken to hospital in the ambulance after a long wait checking everyone else. No helicopter and the police reopened the motorway. - Schmaltzerina, London, 18/5/2013 9:22 Rubbish!!

- A Kelly , Bedford, 18/5/2013 14:06

Click to rate Rating 36

WHY has this been a major news story for two or three days?

- agp1337 , Christchurch, 18/5/2013 14:06

Click to rate Rating 26

An air ambulance costs thousands of pounds every time it takes off, it appears the ambulance crew need to be retrained in what is a 'serious' head injury if he was discharged the same evening!!! Air ambulance runs only on donations so let's hope ' George' donates some cash. - ts, west of uk, United Kingdom, 18/05/2013 06:18 George is incredibly generous especially when it comes to healthcare. I have no doubt he will donate the costs of this pick up and more. - mrsmouse , Proud Brit, 18/5/2013 10:02 Yes, George is one of the country's leading philantropists, which he does very quitely. As he has not been honoured by the Queen yet, I can only assume he has turned somthing down.

- A Kelly , Bedford, 18/5/2013 14:04

Click to rate Rating 28

oh for goodness sake, it wasn't because of cuts and bruises. any head injury is potentially life threatening or life changing. you need to watch more medical documentaries !

- joanb , manchester, 18/5/2013 14:01

Click to rate Rating 26

Airlifted because of a few cuts? The ambulance service are taking the Michael.

- Beyond12 , shrewsbury, United Kingdom, 18/5/2013 13:35

Click to rate Rating 11

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