George Michael thanks hospital for saving life
ASSOCIATED PRESS December 23, 2011 9:30AM
FILE - In this May 11, 2011 file photo British singer George Michael poses for the cameras at an event to announce his European Orchestral tour in London. Austria's state broadcaster says British pop star George Michael has been released from a Vienna hospital and will be able to celebrate Christmas at home. Michael, 48, was being treated for pneumonia. Broadcaster ORF says he was released Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 from the AKH hospital and is catching a flight to London later in the day. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
Singer George Michael says he’s recovered from a life-threatening bout with pneumonia.
He said Friday outside his London home that it was “touch and go” for a while and thanked the staff at an Austrian hospital for keeping him alive in the intensive care unit.
Michael looked weak and sounded short of breath in his brief meeting with reporters. He also looked as if he had lost weight.
He had been in the hospital since late last month. The singer says he woke up 10 days ago but did not provide further details.
Michael said he had “played down” his illness to avoid upsetting his fans. The illness forced Michael to cancel an extensive tour.
