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George Michael 'finished narrating autobiographical documentary which will air with his final words in the spring'

Published: 17:01 EST, 29 December 2016 | Updated: 17:20 EST, 29 December 2016

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George Michael's final recorded words will be heard in March when a new documentary on the late singer is released, according to reports.

Prior to his shock death on Christmas morning aged just 53, the singer had been working on Freedom: George Michael which is due to be aired on Channel 4.

The Daily Mirror reports that George finished 'the entire script for the documentary' shortly before he died.

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Telling his story: George Michael's final recorded words will be heard in March when a new documentary on the late singer is released, according to reports

A source added that the star's estate has given the project the go-ahead in meetings following his death.

The documentary's initial 2016 autumn release was pushed back after unseen footage of George was discovered, and it is likely to appear around the re-release of his Listen Without Prejudice Vol1 album on March 3.

Superstar names such as Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Jean Paul Gaultier are all expected to contribute to the feature.

His final project: Prior to his shock death on Christmas morning aged just 53, the singer (pictured in 2012) had been working on Freedom: George Michael which is due to be aired on Channel 4

Complete: The Daily Mirror reports that George finished 'the entire script for the documentary' shortly before he died

On Thursday it emerged that George had battled secret lung problems ever since suffering a near-fatal bout of pneumonia in 2011 during a European tour.

He was taken ill in Austria and doctors had to perform a tracheotomy to keep his airways open.

Speaking at the time, he admitted 'they basically spent three weeks keeping me alive...it almost killed me.'

A source has now said his lungs never fully recovered from that serious bout of pneumonia.

'His lungs never fully recovered. That can happen after a serious bout of pneumonia like George had.

For the fans: A source added that the star's estate has given the project the go-ahead in meetings following his death

'It leaves the lung scarred or damaged, which can lead to a loss of function. Part of the lung basically doesn't work anymore', the source told the Daily Mirror.

The source added: 'George made no secret about how much he smoked. Smoking can seriously affect the lungs and dramatically increases the risk of infection.'

A post-mortem examination on the singer is yet to be held but will be 'undertaken in due course', a coroner's office has said.

The 53-year-old star was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Christmas Day.

His publicist said his family and friends had been 'touched beyond words' by the 'incredible outpouring of love' from fans, adding there were no suspicious circumstances around his death, which was reported to have been caused by heart failure.

Health issues: On Thursday it emerged that George had battled secret lung problems ever since suffering a near-fatal bout of pneumonia in 2011 during a European tour