George Michael has reportedly said that smoking cannabis is essential for the well-being of his mental health.

The singer told The South Bank Show interviewer Melvyn Bragg: "I'd say it's a great drug - but obviously it's not very healthy. You can't afford to smoke it if you've got anything to do. Anything at all would be foolish."

"This stuff keeps me sane and happy," the former Wham star added. "I could write without it...if I were sane and happy."

Smoking cannabis carries many health risks, most notably a proven link with the development of schizophrenia.