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".