Photo: WENN.com
George Michael has hit back at critics who criticised his performance of his new single at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony.
Viewers were confused when a live version of his hit 'Freedom' was followed with a seemingly mimed performance of his new single, 'White Light'. The song was written about his life-threatening pneumonia in 2011.
The singer's spokesperson has now issued a statement claiming he performed the song "George wanted to perform his new single because it reflected everything he has been through in the last year," said a spokesperson to The Daily Mail.
"The song is a celebration of being alive because he was so close to death last year. It was his decision to perform a song from the past and song for the present."
The same spokesperson later added, in a statement to The Telegraph: "He wanted to perform it for fans... it seemed quite appropriate. He doesn't need to plug his new single - it was just nice for him to sing it.
"It's a bit of a shame that it's got this response because he was so excited to perform it."
George Michael performed at the Olympic closing ceremony alongside Madness, Ed Sheeran, The Who, Jessie J, Queen and The Spice Girls.
Below: photos from the Olympic closing ceremony
