George Michael's former best friend is sued by singer's estate after releasing secret album and unseen footage of the Wham! star

By AIDAN RADNEDGE, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 10:06, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 10:30, 29 July 2026 The family estate of late pop star George Michael has launched legal action against his former best friend over the release of a secret album and unseen footage of him. The ex-Wham! chart-topper, who died aged 53 on Christmas Day 2016, is the subject of a new film called Trojan Souls - The Greatest Album That Was Never Made. It features almost 90 minutes of footage showing Michael in the recording studio in 1992 and 1993, shot by his friend Andros Georgiou. But Mr Georgiou claims the singer would be 'turning in his grave' after his estate lodged a case at London's Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court, claiming its rights have been breached. The 63-year-old, who had been friends with the star since childhood, has hit back, branding it 'a case of sheer greed'. He said: 'First and foremost - my brother in arms, my best friend, George Michael to you, Yog to me - would turn in his grave knowing what Russells [the estate's lawyers] are attempting - and spending his money to do it. 'It is well known Yog and I were working on Trojan Souls through my record label, Hardback Records. Pop star George Michael is seen working on unreleased album Trojan Souls in the early 1990s The singer (right) was friends since childhood with Andros Georgiou (left) - seen here in 1997 'The film I have released was shot by me, with Yog's full approval. This was a home video leaked over 30 years ago. It kept resurfacing on YouTube. 'So I decided, if you can't beat them, put the film out myself, since others were already profiting from my home video.' Mr Georgiou is charging fans £4.99 for 48 hours' access to Trojan Souls - The Greatest Album That Was Never Made. He took aim at law firm Russells on Instagram today, posting: 'How dare they spend Yogs money suing me … together for over 40 years he would simply be disgusted at what’s happening… RIP Yog ad you told me things were going to change in 2017?'   Mr Georgiou insisted the last thing George's estate would want is him speaking on the stand in court. He told the Sun: 'Yes, we fell out, but we loved and cared for each other deeply, and I find the baseless claims and the constant attempts to erase me from history both disrespectful and, frankly, a bit desperate. 'The film belongs to me. Trojan Souls belongs to me. They've opened Pandora's Box. 'They won't want me on the stand. I know way too much. Bring it on.' Andros Georgiou (right), pictured with George Michael at the 1986 Ivor Music Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, says he is now facing legal action from the late singer's estate Andros Georgiou, pictured here on ITV's Good Morning show in March 2023, has been sharing footage of the early 1990s Trojan Souls recording sessions on his website for £4.99 Trojan Souls was earmarked to feature duets with the likes of Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Bryan Ferry, Seal and Sade. But Michael was said to have lost interest in the record as his then-partner Anselmo Feleppa's health declined. And following his lover's death in March 1993, he never completed the record. Mr Georgiou had shot the video in Japan on George's Faith tour using a camcorder given to him by Sony. He and Tribe Media, who are distributing the film, are listed in the legal case by claimants Robobuild Limited and Big Geoff Overseas Limited, the holding companies George used to manage royalties and world tours.  George Michael was found by his then-partner Fadi Fawaz in bed at the singer's Goring-on-Thames home in Oxfordshire on December 25 2016. The death was initially recorded as unexplained, with a coroner later ruling the star died of natural causes from dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver. Music producer Mr Georgiou told in 2021 of visiting his friend's grave after a plaque was put in place with his name engraved at north London's Highgate Cemetery. Andros Georgiou (left) shared online this photo of him with friend George Michael (right) East Finchley-born George Michael (left) came to fame in the 1980s as part of Wham! alongside Andrew Ridgeley (right) - pictured at Hammersmith Odeon in west London in October 1983 The family had been waiting for George's name to be marked on his grave on a marble slab. Mr Georgiou said his visit 'was very emotional because it made [the death] real' but he felt the star could now be properly remembered. George, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in East Finchley in north London, rose to fame with Wham! in the 1980s. He went on to sell more than 100million albums worldwide after going solo, with the star's success continuing after his death. Wham!'s hit Last Christmas was the UK singles chart's festive number one in 2023 and 2024. It had previously missed the top spot on original release in 1984, pipped by the Band Aid charity single Do They Know It's Christmas?.  Russells Solicitors, representing the George Michael estate, have been approached for comment.