George Michael has been charged

The singer George Michael has been charged with the possession of cannabis. The 47-year-old, whose real name is Georgios Panayiotou, also faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

He was arrested after he crashed his car into a branch of Snappy Snaps in Hampstead, north London, in the early hours of Sunday 4 July. The singer, who has a history of drug use, was on police bail following the crash.

Michael was charged when he reported to a police station in Camden yesterday. In a statement Scotland Yard said: “He was released on police bail to appear at Highbury Corner magistrates’ court on 24 August.”