Last year, rock band Bon Jovi were booked to open the new stadium but they, along with the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams and Take That, were forced to move venue when building work overran.

Michael played some of his most memorable gigs at the old Wembley Stadium.

He performed in Live Aid in 1985, Wham’s farewell concert with Andrew Ridgeley in 1986, the Nelson Mandela concert in 1988, the Freddie Mercury tribute concert in 1992 and Net Aid in 1999.

Alex Horne, managing director of Wembley Stadium, said: "It’s fantastic news that George Michael is to play Wembley Stadium’s opening concert.

"He’s no stranger to this great stage having performed at the old stadium both with Wham! at Live Aid and also as a solo artist, so this is a fitting first gig in the new stadium. I’m sure this will be a very hot ticket and we are looking forward to putting the stadium back on the world map as a major music destination."

The UK dates for the tour are: Saturday June 9 - Wembley Stadium, London; Tuesday June 12 - Carrow Road, Norwich; Friday June 15 - City Of Manchester Stadium, Manchester; Sunday June 17 - Hampden Park, Glasgow; Tuesday June 19 - Home Park, Plymouth.

Star denies ’unfit to drive’ charge - Jan 10 2007
Pop star George Michael has denied being ’unfit to drive’ through drugs following an incident in which he was found passed out in his car, a court heard.

The singer was found by police on September 30 last year after worried motorists dialled 999 saying his Mercedes was causing an obstruction at traffic lights in Cricklewood, north London.

He was arrested on suspicion of being ’unfit to drive’ and for possession of what was believed to be cannabis.

The 43-year-old former Wham! star was taken to hospital before being cautioned by police for carrying the drug.

He was then charged with being ’unfit to drive’ just before Christmas.

Michael, whose birth name is George Panayiotou, was not at Brent Magistrates’ Court in London to hear his lawyer Keima Payton say he would be pleading not guilty.

The court heard that the defence would question the admissibility of a blood test taken from the singer as prosecution evidence.

District Judge Katherine Marshall set a date of March 7 for further legal argument on the matter.

During the 13 minute hearing, the judge also scheduled the trial to take place on April 23.

Michael was released on unconditional bail until the trial date.

Pop singer on unfit to drive charge - Jan 2 2007
Pop star George Michael has been charged with being "unfit to drive" after an incident in which he was found passed out in his car, police said.

The singer will appear at Brent Magistrates’ Court in London on January 11 after he was arrested in north London in October.

Michael was found by officers after worried motorists dialled 999 to report his car was causing an obstruction at traffic lights in Cricklewood.

He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive and for possession of what was believed to be cannabis.

The 43-year-old former Wham! star was taken to hospital before being cautioned by police for carrying the drug.