George Michael issues strenuous denial as he hits back at distant relative Jackie Georgiou's claims he was addicted to crack cocaine

George Michael has described new allegations made by relative Jackie Georgiou about drug taking as 'highly inaccurate'.

Jackie Georgiou, wife of the singer's cousin Andros, had told Pete Sampson at The Sun she is 'petrified' the 52-year-old will die and claimed his alleged binges on crack, cocaine, alcohol and marijuana left him a drug-addled wreck. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for the star told MailOnline: 'We refer to reports that have appeared in today's newspapers concerning George Michael. 

Scroll down for video

Troubled: George Michael (pictured above in June) was allegedly addicted to crack cocaine and a cocktail of other drugs before he checked into the £190,000 a month Kusnacht Practice in Switzerland last year

Defending himself: George Michael (pictured above in June) has described new allegations made by relative Jackie Georgiou about drug taking as 'highly inaccurate'

Denial: George took to Twitter to hit out at claims in a Sunday newspaper that had been addicted to crack cocaine

Denial: George took to Twitter to hit out at claims in a Sunday newspaper that had been addicted to crack cocaine

'Whilst it is our general policy not to comment on private matters, we would in this instance note that these highly inaccurate stories have been apparently provided to the press by the wife of a very distant family member, neither of whom has had any dealings with him for many many years.

'It is therefore unsurprising that they are so incorrect. Beyond this we have no further comment to make as the matter is now in the hands of Mr Michael's lawyers.' 

George followed up the denial on Twitter, saying: 'To my lovelies, do not believe this rubbish in the papers today by someone I don't know anymore and haven't seen for nearly 18 years...

'I am perfectly fine and enjoyed Wimbledon like the rest of you. Wish it went to 5 sets though!...Lots of love, The Singing Greek xxx'

Worried: Jackie is pictured with her husband, Andreas Georgiou - cousin of George, at the 1998 premiere of Armageddon

Worried: Jackie is pictured with her husband, Andreas Georgiou - cousin of George, at the 1998 premiere of Armageddon

In a shocking interview, she told the paper: 'He was smoking crack. Before he went away he was he got to the point where he would be shaking, saying, "I need it."

Jackie had also told The Sun: 'There were parties where he was taking drugs and collapsing and being picked off the floor. Waking up in vomit, horrible things. He was so thin, so ill.

'It's crack, it's marijuana, it's drink, it's coke. It was pretty dark and things were getting darker. He was going to end up locked up or dead. I'm petrified he will die.'  

Seeking help: The pop icon's relative, Jackie Georgiou, told The Sun she is 'petrified' the 52-year-old will die after claiming his alleged binges on crack, cocaine, alcohol and marijuana left him a drug-addled wreck

Seeking help: The pop icon's relative, Jackie Georgiou, told The Sun she is 'petrified' the 52-year-old will die after claiming his alleged binges on crack, cocaine, alcohol and marijuana left him a drug-addled wreck

The 45-year-old made the comments as it was reported the Wham star checked himself into one of the world's priciest addiction clinics, the £190,000-a-month Kusnacht Practice in Switzerland, in June last year.  

Last month, a report in German newspaper, Bild, claimed he has been at the centre 'for months'.

As well as alcohol and drug addictions, the clinic treats 'eating disorders, gambling compulsivity, depression, trauma and internet compulsivity'. 

Expensive: Reports from Switzerland claim the star has been staying at the £190,000-a-month clinic in Zollikon (pictured) since last year

Expensive: Reports from Switzerland claim the star has been staying at the £190,000-a-month clinic in Zollikon (pictured) since last year

Ms. Georgiou also alleged the family visited him for his 52nd birthday last month, but claimed he was still drinking alcohol.

However, George's spokesman said at the time: 'Contrary to some of the reports in the press, George has not just entered rehab but is spending time in Europe. He is well and enjoying an extended break.' 

In recent pictures, the star looked bloated and unkempt as he mingled with friends while marking his most recent birthday in Switzerland.

Despite keeping a low profile on social media, he broke his silence on Twitter to thank fans after they bombarded him with well wishes on the milestone on June 25.

He wrote: 'To my lovelies and fans around the world, thank you for all the birthday wishes, I am truly overwhelmed.

'I am looking forward to spending it with friends and family, thanks again, love The Singing Greek!'

Reaching out: George Michael, who has maintained a low profile in recent years, broke his Twitter silence on June 25 to thank fans for their birthday wishes as he turned 52

Reaching out: George Michael, who has maintained a low profile in recent years, broke his Twitter silence on June 25 to thank fans for their birthday wishes as he turned 52

Change: The singer looked bloated as he mingled with friends while marking his most recent milestone Zurich at the end of last month

Change: The singer looked bloated as he mingled with friends while marking his most recent milestone Zurich at the end of last month

Reclusive: The entertainer - who over the years has had a public battle with drugs, and several arrests in relation to them - has rarely been seen in public and it was claimed last year that he only allows his best friend and co-writer David Austin to visit him at his North London mansion 

Reclusive: The entertainer - who over the years has had a public battle with drugs, and several arrests in relation to them - has rarely been seen in public and it was claimed last year that he only allows his best friend and co-writer David Austin to visit him at his North London mansion 

The entertainer - who over the years has had a public battle with drugs, and several arrests in relation to them - has rarely been seen in public and it was claimed last year that he only allows his best friend and co-writer David Austin to visit him at his North London mansion.

A neighbour said recently: 'I haven't seen George himself since last year - I can't remember exactly it was so long ago.

'I see his friend walking the dog regularly: at least once or twice a week, always about 10 or 11 o'clock in the morning.

Fall from grace: George is one of the world's top artists and has wowed millions across the globe on stage but has struggled with drugs and drink for years

Fall from grace: George is one of the world's top artists and has wowed millions across the globe on stage but has struggled with drugs and drink for years

'He often pops in to pick up the odd grocery. But it's definitely been at least six months since I have seen George around.'

In 2011, George nearly died from pneumonia when he fell ill while preparing for a concert in Vienna, and needed a tracheotomy to keep him breathing when he slipped into a coma.

That year, he also revealed he had ended his relationship with then boyfriend Kenny Goss, after being together for 15 years. He is now dating Fadi Fawaz. 

Michael has had a series of drug-related arrests. In 2006, Michael was detained by police in possession of Class C drugs, later saying it was his 'own stupid fault, as usual'.

The following year he said cannabis use was 'a problem' for him, adding: 'I would like to take less, no question.'

He was arrested and cautioned after being found with drugs in a public toilet in north London in 2008, then jailed for driving his Range Rover into a Snappy Snaps store in 2010.

In 2013, he was involved in a bizarre accident on the M1 motorway when he reportedly fell out of his car's door while trying to ensure it was properly closed.

Legal lows: The star, 52, has been involved in a series of arrests over the last two decades, and in 2013, he was involved in a bizarre accident on the M1 motorway when he reportedly fell out of his car's door while trying to ensure it was properly closed

Legal lows: The star, 52, has been involved in a series of arrests over the last two decades, and in 2013, he was involved in a bizarre accident on the M1 motorway when he reportedly fell out of his car's door while trying to ensure it was properly closed

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now