LONDON: George Michael fought back tears Friday as the British singer admitted that he had been at death's door after contracting a case of severe pneumonia while on tour in Austria.
Appearing weak and struggling for breath, the 48-year-old told reporters outside his London home it had been "touch and go" at times during the month he spent in a Vienna hospital.
"It was basically, by far the worst month of my life but I am incredibly, incredibly fortunate to be here," he said, in his first public statement since being released from hospital on Thursday and returning to Britain.
"We played it down, I did not want to worry my fans too much. I am really sorry I could not contact them before now."
His voice cracking as he fought back tears, Michael added: "I spent the last 10 days since I woke up literally thanking people for saving my life, which I have never had to before and I never want to again."
Michael, wearing dark glasses and with a scarf around his neck, said he was "very weak but I feel amazing."
The pneumonia forced the former Wham! singer to cancel his "Symphonica" tour, having performed 45 shows. He had been due to give a concert in the Austrian capital when he was admitted to hospital.
He promised Friday to re-arrange the concerts and said he would play "to anyone who had a ticket".
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