GEORGE MICHAEL ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

British singer and songwriter George Michael has announced that he will be releasing a new album in March.

Symphonica will consist of reworked orchestral arrangements of some of his hits, including Praying for Time and A Different Corner, as well as covers of classic songs, such as My Baby Just Cares for Me.

The album was produced by Michael and the late Phil Ramone and was recorded during the 2011 Symphonica concert tour, which Michael had to cancel after he fell ill with life-threatening Pneumonia.

The openly gay 50-year-old singer has been absent from social media for a year, for which he apologised on his Facebook page and on Twitter.

“I can only apologise from the bottom of my heart for worrying you for so long with my silence. Suffice to say that 2013 was a year that i am glad to put behind me and that i hope you can forgive me for,” he said.

Michael added: “Symphonica the album is ready to go, and I hope it rekindles memories of the nights we spent together over the last few years.”

The album will be available in digital and CD editions as well as a pure audio Blu-Ray version. It is available for pre-order on Amazon and on Michael’s website.

The star’s recent career has been peppered with controversy, including a battle with drug abuse, car crashes, ill health and claims that he tried to commit suicide in a bizarre incident last year when he fell or jumped out of a moving car on a British highway.