George Michael’s Ex-Boyfriend Kenny Goss Responds To Singer’s 'Heartbreaking' Death

Kenny Goss responded to the death of former Wham! singer George Michael. The two dated for more than a decade, but were not together when Michael died.

“I'm heartbroken with the news that my dear friend and long time love George Michael has passed,” Goss said in a statement to E! Online Tuesday. “He was a major part of my life and I loved him very, very much. He was an extremely kind and generous man. The beautiful memories and music he brought to the world will always be an important part of my life and those who also loved and admired him.”

The singer died “peacefully” at home in Oxfordshire Sunday. He was 53 years old. His cause of death is currently unknown, though rumors of heroin abuse circled Tuesday.

Goss and Michael first dated in 1998 and were together for nearly 13 years. After they split, the old lovers remained friends. When Michael had a nearly fatal encounter with pneumonia in 2011, Goss flew to Austria to be with him.

Michael was found by his current boyfriend, hairstylist Fadi Fawaz. “It’s a [Christmas] I will never forget finding your partner dead peacefully in bed first thing in the morning.. I will never stop missing you xx," he tweeted.

Michael’s publicist released a statement to the BBC later that evening. “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 statement to the BBC read Sunday. “The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”

Michael, whose birth name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, sold more than 100 million records throughout the tenure of his career. He rose to fame with the band Wham! and became best known for hits like “Last Christmas” and “Club Tropicana.”

He left the group in the 1980s and went on to have a successful solo career, releasing popular hits like “Faith” and “Freedom.” “Symphonica,” his most recent album, was released two years ago.

Michael won three Brit Awards and two Grammys.

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