U.S. A No-Go For George

15 July 2002

George Michael claims he would feel unsafe if he returned to the US, after the angry reaction that has greeted his new single, 'Shoot the Dog', in America.

The pop megastar has lived in America for a number of years with his partner, Kenny Goss, but now says he feels unable to return for fear of attack from people upset by his 'political single'.

'Shoot the Dog' was written before September's terrorist attacks on New York and was meant as a criticism of Tony Blair. However, Michael claims that Americans have misinterpreted the song's message and mistakenly taken it to be an attack on US foreign policy.

Citing an article in a US newspaper which branded him a "past-his-prime pop pervert", Michael rejected claims that he had an uncertain viewpoint on the terrorist attacks in New York last year.

"Americans are very reactionary right now and I - because of that article - cannot return to America, even though my partner lives there," he said.