A number of stars - including Madonna - are apparently in the frame.


George eyes diamond skull - June 11 2007
George Michael is considering a £50 million offer for Damien Hirst’s diamond-encrusted skull.

The singer and his partner Kenny Goss were given a private viewing of Hirst’s work last week.

Covered in 8,601 diamonds, the work - entitled For The Love Of God - is the world’s most expensive piece of contemporary art.

"Michael and Kenny took in a private viewing of the diamond-encrusted skull. They looked at the piece as a possible addition to their collection," a spokesman for the couple said.

The former Wham! star, who became the first singer to play the new Wembley Stadium on Saturday, is a fan and collector of Hirst’s work.

He and Goss already own Saint Sebastian, Exquisite Pain, the body of a black calf pierced by dozens of arrows and tied to a steel post.

The couple’s art collection is currently valued at £100 million, according to the spokesman.

Later this month they will launch the Goss-Michael Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and inspiring young artists.

George is not the first buyer to approach London’s White Cube gallery about Hirst’s headline-grabbing work.

The artist bought the skull from a shop in north London and it is believed to date from the 18th century.

The diamonds are worth £12 million and weigh 1,106.18 carats.

Hirst said of the skull: "I hope it makes the people who see it feel good, that it’s uplifting, that it takes your breath away."


Michael scores with a Wembley first - June 10 2007
George Michael became the first singer to play at the new Wembley. Michael, who also performed at the old stadium, delighted fans as he took to the stage for the sell-out concert.

The star spoke minutes before going out on stage. He said of being the first to perform at the new stadium: "It’s an amazing honour because I have felt a huge association with Wembley from when I was a child.

"We’ve got a few surprises, some things fans have not heard for a while.

"People can expect one of the best shows they have ever seen."

Asked how the events of Friday when he appeared in court had affected his preparations, he replied: "Not at all, not in the slightest. It’s just nice to have it out of the way."

The singer was fresh from an appearance at a less salubrious venue nearby - Brent Magistrates Court, where he was banned from driving for two years.

He was also sentenced to 100 hours community service for driving while unfit. The star was found slumped at the wheel of his Mercedes car at a road junction in north London in the early hours of October 1 last year.

The 43-year-old previously admitted the offence, claiming he was guilty due to tiredness and prescribed drugs.

As he left the court, Michael told reporters: "I am glad to put this behind me and now I’m off to do the biggest show of my life."

The star kicked off his European tour last month with a sell-out concert at the Aarhus Stadium in Denmark. The British leg of his 25 Live 2007 Stadium Tour will also take in Manchester, Glasgow, Plymouth and Norwich.

George Sentenced - June 8 2007
George Michael was sentenced to 100 hours community service today for driving while unfit.