Brighten up there with sunshine. Wednesday morning, frost. And by this stage, fog. Tributes to the singer George Michael one of the biggest stars in British Music who has died at the age of 53. Todays other news russia begins a day of National Mourning for those who died when a Military Plane crashed into the black sea. Will Boxing Day Sales deliver . Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. One of the biggest pop stars of the 80s and 90s, George Michael, has died. He was 53, and is believed to have had Heart Failure. He rose to fame as one half of the group, wham and went on to have a successful solo career. He sold 100 million albums worldwide and had 11 uk number ones. Nick quraishi looks back at his life. His popularity was not limited to his fans. Fellow musicians were equally overwhelmed by his talent. Here he is rehearsing for the 1992 Freddie Mercury tribute concert. According to his publicist, he passed away peacefully on christmas day. He died of Heart Failure. Andrew ridgely