BEIJING, Dec. 17 -- George Michael has hit back at his fellow chart-topper Elton John, after the Candle In The Wind singer said he was wasting his talent. The former Wham frontman became the latest A-list star to find himself on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing from the veteran musician. But unlike Madonna and Robbie Williams, who paid little attention to Elton's remarks, George has launched a very public counter-attack.

    The row stems from comments Elton made earlier this month about George's latest album Patience. "George is in a strange place," he said. "He's quite happy just being at home all the time and I think that's a waste of talent. There seems to be a deep-rooted unhappiness in his life and that shows in his album. All I would say to George is: 'you should get out more'.

    "The object of his observations has responded by writing an open letter to a magazine voicing his displeasure. "Contrary to the public impression, we have spoken rarely in the last ten years," he says. "Sadly I was always aware that Elton's circle of friends was the busiest rumour mill in town and that respect for my privacy was not exactly guaranteed."

    "To this day, most of what Elton thinks he knows about my life is pretty much limited to the gossip he hears on what you would call the 'gay grapevine' which, as you can imagine, is lovely stuff indeed."

    "He makes millions playing those old classics day in and day out, whereas my drive and passion is still about the future, and the songs I have yet to write. And he seems to have forgotten me calling him a few months back to tell him that my American royalties from Patience would be donated entirely to the Elton John Aids Foundation."

    (Source: hellomagazine£©