Report: George Michael paid £1.5m for gig

George Michael was paid £1.5 million to perform for a Russian billionaire on New Year's Eve, a report has claimed.

A businessman who has not been named paid the money for an hour-long performance to 300 guests at his party just outside Moscow.

Michael was flown to the businessman's mansion along with 20 band members and backing singers. An insider explained that the pop star was requested specifically.

"The businessman contacted George directly and asked him to perform," he told the Daily Mail. "He has a vast private estate just outside Moscow and had turned his sports hall into a nightclub especially for the party.

"It was a fun night and George was back home in Britain by morning."