George Michael's Incredible Secret Gift To 'Deal Or No Deal' Contestant Revealed

As news broke of George Michael's death at the age of just 53 yesterday, Richard Osman shared a heart-warming story of the pop star's kindness.

Although people will know Richard from his front-of-screen work on Pointless, he also works on Deal Or No Deal, and it seems that George was a big fan of the Noel Edmonds-fronted game show.

Osman tweeted that a woman who once appeared on the television programme, told Noel that she was hoping to raise £15,000 to pay for IVF treatment.

George saw the show and later contacted TV bosses to donate the money.

Richard tweeted: "A woman on 'Deal Or No Deal' told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k."

George, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, sold more than 80 million records worldwide.

He began his career with Wham! with the band's first album, 'Fantastic', topping the charts in 1983 and in 1987 he released his first solo album, 'Faith'.

He was also notable for his philanthropy throughout his lifetime. In 1997 Michael lost his mother, Lesley, to cancer and almost 10 years after her death he played a special free concert in north London for NHS nurses as thanks for the care they gave her.

Michael was also among the stars involved in the original Band Aid single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' which raised more than $24 million (£19 million) for famine relief in Ethiopia.

He has also helped numerous children with donations to Childline and supported other organisations, including HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, and Macmillan Cancer Support.

George passed away from a suspected heart failure on Christmas Day. In a statement, the musician's publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.

"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."

RIP to one of pop music's greats.

Featured image credit: PA

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday