Wham’s profits triple to £ 6million this year

The company created to manage the income of Wham! has seen its income triple to £ 6million this year – five years after the death of band member George Michael.

Wham Music Ltd just released a staggering £ 6,093,972, nearly three times the figure of £ 2,976,480 from the previous year.

Wham Music Ltd was established in May 1982 when George – deceased at the age of 53 – and his co-singer Andrew Ridgeley started to achieve fame.

Wow: The company set up to manage Wham’s income has seen its revenues triple to £ 6million this year – five years after the death of group member George Michael

George was one of the early directors until his death on December 25, 2016.

Currently his father Kyriacos Panayiotou, 85, is company secretary and director / lawyer John Reid as well as his fellow lawyer Christopher Organ are listed as the two directors.

In accounts drawn up to March 31, 2021, the company still had over £ 4million (£ 4,191,006) in the bank after costs were deducted, up from £ 961,362 the year before.

Stars: Wham Music Ltd was established in May 1982 when George – deceased at the age of 53 – and his co-singer Andrew Ridgeley started to become famous (pictured together)

The company paid £ 354,922 in corporation tax.

Last Christmas – the duo’s most famous song – reached number one for the first time in 36 years in 2020, keeping the money afloat.

The duo have sold nearly 20 million albums in their five years together.

The band broke up in 1986 but their songs are still played around the world and bring in millions of royalties.

Money: Wham Music Ltd just released impressive figures of £ 6,093,972, nearly three times the figure of £ 2,976,480 from the previous year

Earlier this week, Martin Kemp revealed that George was not a fan of Do They Know It’s Christmas because he thought the lyrics were “too low.”

The charity single featured George alongside a host of famous singers and was written in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in reaction to reports of the famine in Ethiopia, raising £ 8million for charity in during the first year of its release.

Martin made the revelation as he prepares to share memories of his late friend on a radio special called “George Michael: 5 Years On” that airs on Christmas Day.

Speaking on Greatest Hits Radio, Martin, 60, shared his memory of recording the star-studded Christmas song Do They Know It’s Christmas.

He recalls, “I clearly remember talking to George at Band Aid before going in and recording the vocals. He wasn’t very happy with the words. I think he was in Wham! back then, and her head was full of happy pop songs.

“He didn’t like the words Bob and Midge had written for the song. He thought they were too low.

“It wasn’t until later, after recording and listening to it, that he really enjoyed it. Look, sometimes it takes a great man to take it.

Iconic: Last Christmas – the duo’s most famous song – reached number one for the first time in 36 years in 2020, keeping the money afloat

Speaking on the specially recorded radio program, Martin also shared details of George’s incredible generosity and taste for the holiday season.

He said: “George absolutely loved Christmas. Christmas at the Kemp House didn’t start until December 14, when two giant baskets were delivered by Harrods to our doorstep.

“Two huge baskets full of wine, cheese, food, meat and everything you need for a good Christmas. It hasn’t happened once or twice. This happened for 30 years. It is very strange today that we do not have these baskets.

“When he first became this global superstar and suddenly had all that money, he wanted to share it with his friends.

“I remember a birthday he had, he took everyone in a DC-10 (plane). All his friends, on Richard Branson’s Necker Island. And we spent a week there, about twenty. Dive together and build sandcastles together. I will never forget him.

“But he was like that, he was so generous. Not only with his money but also his time. He would listen to you if you had any problems. He was such a lovely man.

Listen to “George Michael: 5 Years On” hosted by Martin Kemp on Greatest Hits Radio on Christmas Day between 5pm and 7pm.

You can listen to Greatest Hits Radio on FM, DAB digital radio, on your smart speaker, mobile device or online at greathitsradio.co.uk

Certainly not! It comes after Martin Kemp revealed earlier this week that George wasn’t a fan of Do They Know It’s Christmas, because he thought the lyrics were “too low” (Photo in 1984)