George Michael has added six dates to his ‘Symphonica’ tour, due to demand.

The ‘Fast Love’ hitmaker’s European tour – which will see him backed by a symphony orchestra – sold out its UK dates in a reported 45 minutes after they went on sale yesterday (16.04.11), and the demand has seen him release a further six dates in the UK in Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff and London.

The shows are George’s first since he “retired” in 2008, and will see him perform selections from his back catalogue, as well as a number of covers.

He recently explained to BANG Showbiz: “There will be covers, and there will be a lot of songs from my earlier career that people have never heard me sing before live, because some of them really never lent themselves to anything but intimate venues.

“There will also be tracks by artists from my own history, which have influenced me in ways that people wouldn’t actually know, and I think I’ve found some really nice ways to cover some of the songs.”

The singer also hopes to be joined at the shows – which take place in 47 countries and include four opera houses – by a number of special guests, although he has released no names yet, as he is still finalising who will perform.

For more information, please visit www.georgemichael.com

George Michael added UK ‘Symphonica’ tour dates 2011:

November 27 – Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

December 7 – SECC, Glasgow

December 10 – LG Arena, Birmingham

December 13 – MEN Arena, Manchester

December 16 – Earl’s Court, London

December 17- Earl’s Court, London