George Michael's local pub pays tribute five years on from his death
The pop star passed away on Christmas Day in 2016
The landlady of the pub where singer George Michael used to visit regularly has paid tribute to him on the eve of the anniversary of his death.
Mary Galer, who runs the Miller of Mansfield pub in the village of Goring-on-Thames near Reading, has been speaking about Michael's effect on the community.
The 'Faith' singer and former frontman of the band Wham! passed away suddenly at his home in the village on Christmas Day in 2016.
As the five-year anniversary of his death approaches, Mrs Galer spoke about how the singer was treated like a local.
"He had a certain table that he wanted every week, and we saw him right up until his passing," Ms Galer said.
"I think we felt a little bit protective of him, in the sense that he shouldn't be disturbed and left to it like anybody else".
George Michael's legacy has since carried on long after his death, with celebrations of his life taking place even into 2021.
Ms Galer said that his fans have travelled from all over the world to Goring-on-Thames where he lived to find out more about him.
"I've had people from America coming and crying on my shoulder in the past few years. People have also come from Italy, Switzerland and Germany - they wanted to know where he sat, what he drank, what he was like to meet".
However, despite the international fame that the singer gathered, Michael saw the little English village as a sanctuary, where he could be treated like a normal person.
"There was no air about him that would make you feel like he was different. He was just like anybody else," the landlady said.
In tribute to George Michael, Greatest Hits Radio is broadcasting a special show dedicated to his life and music on Christmas Day.
Hosted by Martin Kemp at 5pm, the show will relive some of Michael's most iconic songs and moments with celebrity guests on the anniversary of the star's death.
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