Article George Michael bailed on drugs charge

[George Michael]

Singer George Michael has been arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs after he was found slumped at the wheel of a car.

The former Wham! star was taken into custody at Hyde Park Corner in central London early this morning, following a call from a member of the public.

Michael, 42, was checked by paramedics but did not need hospital treatment.

Officers arrested him on suspicion of possessing Class C drugs before bailing him to return to a police station next month.

He was also initially arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive, but after being taken to a police station and examined by a doctor he was de-arrested for this alleged offence.

The substances seized by officers are suspected to be cannabis and GHB, a drug also known as liquid ecstasy which is popular with clubbers.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We were called by a member of the public to a man seen slumped over the steering wheel of a car on the street close to Hyde Park Corner.

"An ambulance attended, but the man was not suffering from any injuries so was not conveyed to hospital.

This is not the first time Michael has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

In 1998 the star was arrested for lewd conduct in a public toilet in Los Angeles after being spotted by an undercover police officer.

The incident led him to reveal he was gay, ending years of mystery about his sexuality.

With schoolmate Andrew Ridgeley, the other half of Wham!, Michael had a string of hits in the mid-1980s with songs such as Wham Rap, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Freedom and I'm Your Man.

In 1986 the duo split up and Michael pursued a solo career. His first solo album, Faith, released in 1988, was a success with both the critics and music fans, selling in excess of 10 million copies.

Michael has sold more than 85 million records worldwide and notched up six No 1 singles in the US, 11 in the UK and seen seven albums hit the top spot.