Andrew Ridgeley blasts 'MUCKY' Channel 5 documentary about George Michael's final days
GEORGE MICHAEL'S former bandmate Andrew Ridgeley has condemned tonight's Channel 5 documentary about the star's last days.
George Michael: Andrew Ridgeley has slammed a Channel 5 show about his late bandmate
The Wham! hitmaker took to Twitter to slam The Last Days of George Michael hours before it aired to the public, following his death on Christmas Day.
The 54-year-old branded the programme "mucky" and claimed the timing was "disrespectful" as his family prepare for his funeral.
Addressing the broadcaster directly, Andrew hit out: "@channel5_tv to conceive such a sensationalist and mucky piece of voyeurism may be par for the course for you…"(sic)
The singer continued: "The decision to air before George Michael’s funeral is insensitive, contemptuous and reprehensible.
George Michael: Andrew Ridgeley claimed Channel 5 should have waited
George Michael: Andrew Ridgeley tweeted Channel 5 in anger
You might have the had decency to schedule it post funeral
"You might have the had decency to schedule post funeral and after a respectful period."(sic)
Andrew's posts come after a George Michael fan page shared a letter to Channel 5 asking them to cancel or delay the show, which asked him to retweet.
"You are directly adding stress and pain to his grieving family," one line read in the attached screen shot.
George Michael with Wham bandmate Andrew Ridgeley
Chris Martin performs heartfelt tribute to George Michael
George Michael was found dead on Christmas Day
Meanwhile, a Channel 5 spokesperson told Express.co.uk: "George Michael was a high profile public figure and there has been legitimate public interest in the circumstances surrounding his death, which have already been widely reported across the news media.
"The Last Days of George Michael is a measured account of the days preceding his death in December and of his musical career and his personal life, including his philanthropy, based on contributions from those who knew him and reported on him over many decades."