Melanie Panayiotou, the 55-year-old sister of the 'Faith' hitmaker, was found dead on Christmas Day by her sister Yioda, and is expected to be laid to rest in the same plot as the singer.
- January 3, 2020
AceShowbiz - George Michael's ex Fadi Fawaz has reportedly been banned from the funeral of the singer's late sister, Melanie Panayiotou.
The 55-year-old was found dead on Christmas Day (December 25) by her sister Yioda, three years to the day that George died, aged 53, with reports suggesting Melanie had struggled to get over the death of her brother.
According to Britain's The Sun newspaper, hairdresser Fadi has been told to "stay away" from the funeral, after entering a legal fight over his claim to a share of the former Wham! star's $129.5 million (£98 million) estate.
The relationship between Fadi and George's family came to a head after he was arrested for suspected criminal damage in July, after squatting in his former lover's $6.6 million (£5 million) mansion.
A source told the publication Fadi had done "nothing but elevate the stress and sadness following George's death," and explained that "it made the family's decision to snub him a simple one" so they could "mourn her without distraction."
Melanie is expected to be laid to rest in the same plot as George and their mother Lesley at London's Highgate Cemetery.
