As a year for celebrity deaths goes, 2016 was a catastrophe with singer George Michael’s passing in December topping off 12 months of mourning for many music fans. Now the former Wham! frontman’s loved ones have been surrounded by more heartbreak after an alleged excerpt from the 999 call after his death was made public.

George MichaelGeorge Michael was found by his partner at home on Christmas Day

The apparent call leaked to the public was made by Michael’s partner, Fadi Fawaz who said he found the singer dead when he arrived at his home in Oxfordshire on Christmas Day to wake him before a Christmas lunch.

The recording was said to have featured an extract from the conversation between Fawaz and the emergency services.

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Now the pop star’s family are demanding a full investigation into the release.

In a statement, released by the family’s lawyers, they said: "George’s family and friends are extremely upset and truly appalled that such a personal, painful and clearly confidential recording has been leaked.

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"On their behalf we will be ensuring that a full investigation takes place to establish how this material was made available and we will expect the culprit(s) to be dealt with appropriately."

Police revealed that a post-mortem examination of the 53-year-old’s body proved inconclusive and results of further tests are yet to be revealed.