Heartbreaking reason George Michael wrote festive classic Last Christmas revealed as Wham! video cast reunite 40yrs on
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ONE of the greatest sadnesses of George Michael’s sudden death on Christmas Day in 2016 was that he loved the festive season. It was this adoration that led to his decision to record hit single Last Christmas 40 years ago, just as he was morphing from a teen pin-up to serious songwriter.
![[The cast now, from left to right, David Ridler, Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi DeMacque-Crockett, Shirlie Kemp, Jonny Fowler, Pat Fernandes and Cheryl Harrison]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/90606044-96ee-4afa-bda7-e6a25696b6a5.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But the move was no surprise to his Wham! bandmates Andrew Ridgeley, Helen “Pepsi” DeMacque-Crockett and Shirlie Kemp, as they had all experienced George’s indulgent Christmas Eve parties. In new BBC Two documentary Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped, they reveal the megastar had a special reason for considering it the most wonderful time of the year.
![[Shirlie and Pepsi at artwork commemorating Last Christmas in Saas-Fee]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/14-12-2024-956552755.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
At this week’s launch of the film — which sees the Last Christmas video cast return to the Swiss resort of Saas-Fee where it was filmed — Shirlie, 62, said of George: “Christmas was bigger than him, so he could disguise himself in Christmas. “That was one of the reasons he loved that time of year, and why he liked to go carol singing.
![[Andrew leads pals down the slopes where video was shot]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/14-12-2024-956552777.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“Imagine if everyone had iPhones back then. Our Christmas Eves were the best.”. Shirlie wasn’t just talking figuratively, either. George genuinely viewed the opportunity to wear festive fancy dress as his chance to go out in public without anyone recognising him.
![[George died on Christmas Day in 2016]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tp-image-george-michael-1112.jpg?strip=all&w=649)
And that meant strangers on a London bus being unwittingly serenaded by one of Britain’s biggest pop stars, plus his strangely familiar backing singers. Pepsi, 66, laughs as she recalls their costume adventures with George, explaining: “He lived in a little mews house on Kensington High Street and he went, ‘Right, let’s go!’. He had all the wigs and everything.
![[Andrew, Pat, Jonny and Cheryl wave from the ski lift]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/last-christmas-video-george-michael-956597395.png?strip=all&w=960)
