George Michael returns to play cancelled gig

London: Singer George Michael made his return to the UK stage last night playing a gig he was forced to cancel earlier after he nearly died from pneumonia.

The 49-year-old singer was struck down by a near fatal bout of the illness while touring in Vienna last December, reported Sun online. But he was back on stage and in form at Birmingham`s LG Arena last night, telling fans, "I`m finally back!" Michael showed no signs of illness as he danced around the stage, much to the delight of thousands of middle-aged women. "You could have stayed at home and watched the X Factor tonight. I may be 70-years-old but I can still do it. That might let people on to the fact that I actually watch the ‘X Factor’. I only watch it because my boyfriend likes it," he said to the crowd. He opened with `Through`, and rattled through a number of covers including Rihanna`s `Russian Roulette` and New Order`s `True Faith`. Michael, who was supported by a full orchestra, closed the show with new single `I Remember You`. Michael resumed his Symphonica tour in Vienna earlier this month, thanking the medical staff who treated him for pneumonia in the city last year. He also gave his first live performance after recovery at the London Olympics closing ceremony in August. PTI