Dressed all in black and wearing sunglasses, former 'Wham!' star, George Michael, arrived at El Prat airport yesterday on board a private jet, and said he was "happy" to be back performing in Spain after an absence of 15 years.

The 43 year old singer-songwriter will start his 'Live 25' European tour on Saturday at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, followed by a second date at Madrid's Palacio de los Deportes three days later. Tickets for both concerts have sold out.

Christened Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, the 43 year old star has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide and topped the UK charts with seven albums and eleven singles.

In 2004, he was voted the most played artist on British radio over the previous 20 years.

George Michael, who has also achieved success in the USA where he has had six number ones, will be performing a selection of his greatest hits, including some songs from the 'Wham!' era.