George Michael to close down chatroom

George Michael is to close down the message board on his official website because of "negative comment" and "bitching" among members.

He says he will leave it open for two more weeks to give members who have made "friendships" to make arrangements to post messages at "other sites."

Michael recently announced he was quitting the corporate music industry to become an internet-only artist, partly because of the "negativity of the media".

He said: "I am afraid that, having visited the forums on a regular basis over the past few months, simply to see how you guys thought the album/ interviews/promotion were going, I have decided to close them down.

"I feel bad for those of you who have always been supportive, but I'm afraid I want nothing to do with the bitching that has evolved between some members... Sorry guys, but that's the way it goes."

The 41-year-old singer who released his first studio album in eight years, Patience, in March, ended the message: "Peace and Love... or nothing at all. Love as always. George xx."

Since Michael's message was posted, fans have expressed their disappointment and some anger at the decision.

One accused Michael of being a 'Control Freeek!' and went on: "It smacks of someone unhappy that we're not all heaping praise on him at every turn...and that's sad.

"It is also disappointing because the people who read and contribute to these boards are his fans and admirers of his work."

Michael is to release one more album to fulfill his contract with Sony Music before retreating from the

corporate music industry.
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