Geri Horner weighs in on George Michael shrine controversy
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Spice Girl Geri Horner has thrown her support behind a memorial for the late singer George Michael amid controversy surrounding a fan-made shrine outside of his house.
Horner (previously known as Geri Halliwell) appeared on the show ‘This Morning’ to discuss the battle that has arisen between George Michael’s fans and his neighbours.
A debate has arisen between fans of George Michael and other residents of the Highgate area, who have recently shown their irritation at the growing shrine that surrounds the North London mansion.
In the interview, Horner spoke of the ‘special relationship’ that she had with the singer and called for a compromise between the fans who want to memorialise the singer and the neighbours.
(Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
The Spice Girl formerly known as ‘Ginger Spice’ said: “Well what I do know is that George loved his fans and he really cared about his fans, so I really hear that they want to celebrate him and rejoice in him.
“So bearing that in mind… but equally you’ve got to respect the family and he cared about his neighbours and he liked to keep things simple.”
The fan-made shrine outside of Michael’s London mansion (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
She continued: “So perhaps there is a compromise of pleasing everybody, and my suggestion is let’s talk about him, let’s celebrate him through his music.
“If there is something to be done, possibly look at Abbey Road Studios, or a studio in north London, maybe a plaque… something simple and understated.
“I think he’d be very flattered but we do need to respect the family’s wishes.”
(Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
Horner also agreed with a fan on the show who suggested a ‘George Michael Foundation’ be funded in order to support emerging musicians in the Wham! singer’s memory.
The large fan shrine has attracted the attention of the Highgate Conservation Area advisory committee, a local group that aims to “preserve and enhance the character of the area.”
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Chair of the group Susan Rose told the Daily Star: “One wonders what George Michael would think of it all outside the beautiful home that he looked after so well, and right where he erected a wonderful Christmas tree every year.”
The path outside of his house has been filled with thousands of gifts and tributes to George Michael from people from around the world.
Similar shrines have emerged outside of Michael’s Oxfordshire home, as well as outside of the photography store that he famously crashed into in 2010.
