It has been a year since George Michael died on Christmas Day.

To mark his first death anniversary, his family published a photo of the late singer-songwriter as a young boy. In a letter attached to the post, the family also addressed his thousands of fans all over the world and thanked them for making Listen WIthout Prejudice, his 1990 album, back on the number one spot of the United Kingdom album chart.

Listen Without Prejudice was rereleased in October. It features tracks from his second solo studio album and the MTV Unplugged performance.

"This year has been a series of new and tough challenges for those of us close and loyal to Yog, not least of which was steeling ourselves this month, to hear "Last Christmas" and "December Song" streaming out of shops, cars, and radios, as it has done for decades, knowing he's no longer with us, missing him." the letter read. "This Christmas will be heard without him, but we know that we are not alone in our mourning the anniversary of his loss, and the sadness of our wider family, and true friends, is shared by many of you."

Yog was, of course, the singer's nickname to family and closest friends. It was derived from his Greek name, Giorgos Kyriakos Panayiotou.

Lost But Not Forgotten

Fans of the late singer-songwriter have been paying a tribute to the award-winning musician and philanthropist. Dozens of people from around the world are making a pilgrimage to the "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" singer's home in Oxfordshire in England

The Daily Mail reports that outside of Michael's home is now covered with flowers, photos and posters of the artist, and white lanterns to remember him on the day of his death. Some fans also attached personal items on his windows, the trees lining his house, and his doorsteps as a tribute. Others wrote emotional letters addressed to the late artist.

A note attached to the door said that the cards and tributes left around the house will be passed on to the singer's family. It also revealed that the riverside house where the former member of Wham! resided for 17 years still received fan letters daily.

A Legend Leaves

Michael was found dead in his Goring-on-Thames home on Dec. 25 last year. A coroner from Oxfordshire revealed that the celebrated musician died of natural causes. He was 53 years old.

  

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