After dying at the age of 30 last Friday, Jan Werner is now going to his final resting place today. There will be an open memorial today at 1pm (Norwegian time - 12noon UK time) in Oslo, but the funeral itself will be for his closest family only. In the same church he was both baptised and his confirmation was held.

The cause of his death has been said to be natural. He was a large man, he had a classic body for heartfailure - and not only that, he was born with too large lungs. Yeah, no shit, right? No wonder he could do 4 1/2 octaves. But the way he used them put a strain on his heart and they think his heart just gave up in the end. 15 years of stress, concerts, tours every year, appearances, five very vocally challenging albums - he just finished the fifth that will be released later this year. Have a listen to a clip from "My Love" from the unreleased album "Stronger".

These past ten days have been odd. I've spoken to a lot of people, and they all seem to be in shock, disbelief and feel real grief. Over a man most of them didn't know and didn't really listen to. To suffer a natural death at the age of 30 isn't only scary as hell, it's such a waste. I can't even begin to imagine where he could have ended up if his confidence had taken him outside the boundaries of Norway. He was scheduled to appear in the US and Canada next year...

A statement he made last year:

He lost his voice the same week that his body gave in. He was meant to do a show, but had to cancel cause he had a chest infection so bad he wasn't even allowed to speak. Something tells me he may have known that his time here was limited, but you can only commend him for wanting to live his life to the fullest. Some performers just have to do it, they'll die if they don't. Unfortunately, some also die if they do...

M-m-m-magic car.

Remember? So George is including the extended stimulation of "I'm Your Man" on the new Mutya single, "This Is Not Real Love". It's funny, really, considering. Car screeching and crashing followed by George uttering "Be brave, keep tough, Mr Ridgeley do your stuuuuuuuuuuuff." (or something along those lines)

Halfway through it goes:

George: Come on, I just wanna be your... big boy. No no no, please, seriously, I just wanna tell you a little story. See, baby, this is a magic car. M-m-m-magic car. So get it, shut the door, and sliiiide over here.
*Chick: That ain't no magic car!
George: Oh but it is. Touch this... and you'll see. *giggle*
*Chick: *giggle* Oh my God!

*Alternatively, George doing it with himself again. Like duetting with himself on "Hard Day". I mean, if you want something done well...

At least the guy has a sense of humour.

My initial reaction is "Wham! reunion my ass!" However, George did say there was a final gig that was to be announced in the UK - could this be it?

WHAM! are to reform 20 years after they split.

George Michael, 43, has persuaded exbandmate Andrew Ridgeley to reunite for a Christmas concert at London's Wembley Arena.

They will be joined by their backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie to make it the pop event of the year. Despite George's recent problems - last week he was cautioned for possession of cannabis after being found again slumped asleep at the wheel of his car - he has been determined to persuade Andrew, also 43, to team up with him again.

A friend revealed: "George is thrilled that Andrew's agreed to perform. It was something George had thought about for a long time. He couldn't be happier and can't wait for the gig."

Don't you find it interesting that these "friends" never have any names? In most cases, these "friends" is "the journalist". In Norway, "unidentified sources" is-not-allowed. UK? Gonna make that a rule over here too? No? Didn't think so.

Having said that, it's not like Andrew, Shirlie or Pepsi are actually doing anything these days... I'm sure Andrew can take a break from the Cornwall shore and pretend to play the guitar and Shirlie can take a break from being a busy housewife to pretend to sing backing vocals alongside Pepsi for a night.

Only question is on everyone's mind is; could they really fill up a whole gig with Wham! songs, considering George refuses to perform most of'em?

Check out this video of George being questioned by police. It sounds like the officer is saying "Got a couple of questions. Why did you stop? What made you stop?" George saying nothing, but the woman standing by the car saying something like, "He was breathing heavily."

Meanwhile, Sony/BMG will not be dropping him. Duh, really?

GRAHAM Norton has confessed he aspires to the no-holds-barred gay lifestyle of George Michael - but lacks the courage. The TV star admitted the singer is "living the life I'd like to live but I don't have the nerve". Michael was recently caught cruising on north London's Hampstead Heath and has been found slumped in his car for the second time this week.

But Norton, 43, said he would hate to appear in newspapers "having to justify my lifestyle". He added: "He's very eloquent. He will sit in a chair talking about going out cruising. I wouldn't want to be him and I feel sorry for him. But I do think he's humanising something that has been demonised."

Norton also confessed he has "tried lots of drugs" but rarely touches them now. He said: "To me, coke is middle-age stuff. It's quite slow."

Nice of a fellow gay man to stand up and say something. Now, when is Elton standing up (again) to say "You can fuck without drugs, George. After all, do you really need to take anything that increases your libido, George? Honestly?"

Jack Straw has suggested that women should remove their niqabs or burkas when communicating cause wearing it makes communication harder. Then he says they should stop wearing it all together. The muslim community is reacting with rage and disbelief.

My view? What I'd like to say is that if we come to their countries, we have to cover up. So why should it be any different when they come here? There's nothing in the Koran about "cover up thyself". In fact, they seem to promote that their religion doesn't restrict. Well...! I find myself getting provoked when I see these women walking around showing their eyes only - some say it's because no man apart from their husband should know a) what they look like and b) what their body looks like. The thing is, apparently, that women shouldn't walk around like - well, us - cause men shouldn't be tempted. How about this then? Control yourselves, pigs. It's probably politically incorrect of me to say this, but these men have been taught from a young age that women are less worthy and should only be seen by one man; their husband. That they've most likely been set up with by their parents. Cause, really, it's women's fault that men can't seem to control their dicks, isn't it?

In my mother's doc surgery, there was a doctor - a woman - wearing a full burka. The children were scared shitless, the patients - mainly old and sick - were in discomfort. I understand that. There was also a muslim doctor. A man. My mother went to him cause he had taken over from her regular doctor that was on holiday. She went in to have her blood pressure taken and to have some blood tests. He informed her that he couldn't touch her. She asked how come? And he showed her his wedding ring and said "I'm married, I can't touch another woman." Well, fuck-me, don't be a goddamn doctor then! He didn't last long...

This is what I mean... if they wanna come to our country - fine. You're welcome. But for God's sake, at least try to integrate yourselves a little. We let them build their mosques - there's a massive one in the London South Bank. I can't imagine for a second that if a bunch of Christians came to one of their countries that we'd be able to put up a fucking church in the centre of the capital. My view is a bit like this... if you don't like living the way we do in our countries and don't want to even try to be integrated in our society... leave.

My bottom line: get rid of all f-ing religion and we'd all live in harmony. What are the main reasons for war? Religion, money, land and securing energy. Take away the religion part and we're well on our way to a more peaceful world.

Not saying this is the cause, but...

1. How many people are on the road?
117 including bus and truck drivers.

2. How long will it take to load in for each show?
12 hrs

3. How many crew will it take to put up the stage?
54

4. How many trucks of production will there be?
17

5. How many trucks of steel (i.e. containing the stage)?
4

6. How many tonnes of steel?
16

7. How many metres of cable?
18,462

8. How many LED¹s are in the lighting rig?
150, 000

9. How many boxes are there in the sound rig?
54

10. How many mics are on stage?
29

11. How many costumes does George take on the road with him?
12

12. Does George have any peculiar requests on his dressing room rider?
Sushi and flowers

13. Are there any particular things that George specifically has to have in his dressing room?
Diet Coke, Sushi, Evian and an exercise ball

14. Is there anything in particular than George does before he goes on stage?
Massage and vocal warm up with girl backing vocalists

15. Does George have any particular things for when he comes off stage?
Runs into a waiting car and flies home.

16. How many shows on the European leg of this tour?
48

17. How many hours will he spend on stage on this tour?
120HRS

18. How many people will he perform to on this tour?
600,000

19. How many shows will George have performed by the time he reaches London?
33

20. How many miles will the tour travel on the European leg of this tour?
10,298

21. How many backing musicians and vocalists are on tour?
15

22. How long were you in rehearsal?
8 weeks

23. How many hours will George sound-check on this tour?
48 hrs

24. How many hours of traveling on this tour?
240 hrs

25. How many towels does your tour use in a gig?
406


'This Is Not Real Love' single in stores November 4

'25' in stores November 11