Smooth Radio listeners have named George Michael as the “greatest music icon of all time”.
The former Wham! star, who died on Christmas Day in 2016, has now taken first place in the station’s poll of the top 100 music stars for the fourth consecutive year.
Michael beat US singer Michael Jackson in second, British pop rock band Queen in third, Whitney Houston in fourth, and Swedish pop group Abba to the top spot.
A statement from George Michael Entertainment, the official estate of George Michael, said: “We are absolutely delighted that George has once again been voted Smooth Radio’s ‘ultimate artist’ in the annual Smooth Icons Top 100 for 2026.
“George would have been immensely proud of this and above all grateful to everyone who continues to support him and his music with such extraordinary loyalty and affection.
“To Smooth Radio, its listeners and George’s wonderful fans around the world, as always, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
The rest of the top 10 was made up of Sir Elton John (sixth), Michael’s pop duo Wham! (seventh), former Genesis singer Phil Collins (eighth), Canadian star Celine Dion (ninth), and rock and roll star Elvis Presley (10th).
With Wham!, Michael achieved five UK number one singles with the duo, completed by Andrew Ridgeley, best known for songs such as “Last Christmas”, “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” and “I’m Your Man”.
The group also achieved six top 10 albums, including two number ones, before their split in 1986.
Michael began his solo career a year later with the release of his debut album Faith, and went on to score seven UK number one singles and seven number one albums.
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The singer’s best known solo songs include “Careless Whisper”, “A Different Corner” and a version of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” with Sir Elton.
The full countdown can be heard on Smooth Icons on Global Player now.