Bandmates Andrew Ridgeley and Pepsi join George Michael's friends, family and lover Fadi Fawaz for a private funeral at Highgate Cemetery 94 days after the singer's death

43-year-old was seen arriving at the north London cemetery in the back of a car
Date of 'small, private gathering' has been keep quiet to avoid fans turning up
Fawaz previously admitted that he knew 'nothing' about the plans for the wake

Published: 14:45 BST, 29 March 2017 | Updated: 17:08 BST, 29 March 2017

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Fadi Fawaz joined George Michael's former bandmates today as they said goodbye to the singer at a private funeral held more than three months after his death.

Andrew Ridgeley and Helen 'Pepsi' DeMacque-Crockett were among the stars seen arriving at Highgate Cemetery, north London, this afternoon for the 2pm service.

They were later joined by 43-year-old Fawaz - who was in a relationship with Michael when he died - who was the final guest to pull up to the cemetery in a taxi.

Fadi Fawaz raced to Highgate Cemetery this afternoon amid rumours that George Michael's funeral is being held there today

Andrew Ridgeley, who was in Wham! with Michael, was also at the service. He is pictured leaving the cemetery today

Helen 'Pepsi' DeMacque-Crockett, a member of the Pepsi & Shirlie duo in the 1980s, was seen arriving at the funeral today

Fawaz had previously claimed that he knew 'nothing' about the plans.

The date of the singer's funeral - which was for invited guests only - has been kept secret in order to avoid legions of fans turning up on the day.

This afternoon, Michael's publicist confirmed the 'small, private' funeral had taken place.

In the statement, his family also thanked fans from across the world for their messages of love and support.

Today, a total of 16 blacked out limousines, including Mercedes and Jaguars, were seen arriving at the cemetery.

The drivers held up numbers printed on paper before burly security staff on the gates let them through.

The order of service featuring Michael's picture which was given to mourners at the ceremony

Each time a car went through, security put up black tarpaulin across the cemetery's gates and fencing.

There was no hearse and the body of the 53-year-old singer is believed to have arrived inside a private ambulance.

Michael's former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley was understood to have left his home in south west England yesterday and spent the night in London before attending the service.

He previously made an emotional speech at the Brits in February, describing Michael as a 'supernova', saying his death 'felt like the sky had fallen in'.

The 43-year-old previously admitted that he knew 'nothing' about the plans for the wake

The service - arranged by Michael's sister Melanie Panayiotou - was held at the Chapel of Rest, which was obscured from view by a large black tarpaulin.

The metal fencing has been in place since 6am this morning.

The singer was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, by Fawaz on Christmas Day.

His official cause of death was recorded as 'dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver'.

It is understood that Michael will be laid to rest alongside his beloved mother Lesley Angold, following a service at the nearby chapel.

Close friend and former Spice Girl Geri Horner, 44, is believed to have done the eulogy. An intimate wake has also been arranged.

The funeral has been delayed for so long because toxicology tests were being carried out.

Michael's body was only released earlier this month by the Oxfordshire Coroner when a post-mortem examination eventually concluded that he died of natural causes.

Today, Gary Chenery, who met Michael while running a nightclub in Islington, north London during the 90s, said it was unfair that the ceremony had been invite-only.

He said: 'I heard Andrew Ridgely had come up from Devon last night and spent the night in London.

The singer was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, by Fawaz (pictured together) on Christmas Day

The singer (left and right) was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, by Fawaz on Christmas Day. His official cause of death was recorded as 'dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver'

'I have known George since I was 19, he would be horrified by this. The family have had the body for three weeks and there is no excuse for it to be that long.

'I feel cheated. Where is the respect? He had a lot of friends outside of his family, All I wanted to say was goodbye.'

Highgate Cemetery opened in the 19th century and already hosts the graves of a number of famous names - including Karl Marx, George Eliot and painter Henry Moore.

Ridgeley (pictured with Michael) was understood to have left his home in south west England yesterday and spent the night in London before attending the service