George Michael will be home for Christmas

George Michael will return home for Christmas after battling a severe bout of pneumonia in an Austrian hospital.

The 48-year-old has been receiving treatment in Vienna after falling ill with a lung infection.

The singer initially feared he would have to spend the holidays in the clinic but his partner insists Michael is on the mend and will soon be well enough to fly back to Britain.

"Christmas at home. I cannot stop smiling today, the best day ever. Nothing to worry about, happy days," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Fadi Fawaz as saying.