George Michael’s family is asking fans to remove flowers, photos and other tributes left outside the late singer’s two homes.
On Christmas Day 2016, the pop star was found dead at his riverside house in Goring, Oxfordshire aged 53.
Since then supporters have set up memorial gardens outside his house in the village and at Highgate, north London.
Tributes to George Michael are seen outside his house in Highgate, north London on Wednesday, May 2
Tributes and flowers for music icon George Michael at the singer’s Oxfordshire home on January 4, 2017 in Goring, England
Fans of the Wham! star have left tributes at his homes in Highgate, London (pictured) and Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
George Michael is pictured in this 1987 studio portrait
The grassy square across from Michael’s Highgate home is bedecked in bouquets candles, flags and handwritten messages for the singer.
Similar offerings have been left outside the home in Goring, 50 miles (80 kilometers) from London, where Michael died.
In a post Wednesday on Michael’s website, his father, sisters and friend David Austin said they were touched by the tributes.
However they felt that they couldn’t ask neighbours ‘to continue to accept as normality, the memorials so personal to you all, to remain as and where they are any longer.’
They asked fans of the singer to remove the tributes, which include flowers and framed pictures of the singer, by May 27.
A statement, written by Mr Michael’s sisters Mel and Yioda, father Jack and friend David Austin, said that they were ‘touched by your many tributes celebrating and remembering’ him.
‘However, we feel we cannot expect our Highgate and Goring neighbours to continue to accept as normality, the memorials so personal to you all, to remain as and where they are any longer.’
They requested that supporters, who call themselves ‘lovelies’, to instead make a donation to charity as an alternative tribute.
Memorial areas filled with flowers, messages and candles among other items were left after Michael’s death in 2016
A picture of the star and other items were left in memory of the pop star by supporters, who call themselves ‘lovelies’
Friends and family asked fans of the singer to remove the tributes, which include flowers and framed pictures of the singer, by May 27
It is unclear how this will affect a celebration organised by fans for George Michael’s birthday in June, when fans from around the world were expected to visit Goring and pay respects to the singer.
Posting on Twitter, Trista Stone said: ‘It’s tough. The family wants everything back to their normal… But there isn’t a grave we, as fans can visit… Some need something more physical.’
Also commenting on the social media website, @MarieEKD said: ‘We knew it couldn’t last forever.
‘Lots of special memories and friendships have been made here. These will always be with us, and as such, so will George.’
Tough times: Fans appreciated his family’s wishes and were inspired to create another form of tribute
Supporters were understanding and thanked the community for allowing them to show their love for the pop star