George Michael has announced that he is to release a new album in March.

This will be the former Wham! front man's sixth solo album. The British singer recorded the disc during a 2011-2012 tour that was interrupted when he contracted life-threatening pneumonia.

This was followed by a near fatal car accident on a British motorway last May. The album will be released as a 17 track deluxe CD or as a 14 track standard version and will include original tracks as well as some cover versions.

During the Symphonica tour he covered tracks by the likes of Nina Simone, David Bowie and Elton John. Fans of Michael's facebook page can already download an orchestral version of the track, praying for Time.

The albums official lead single - Let her down easy - will come out digitally, on the same day as the album, on March 17. It will be accompanied by a new music video.

edited and presented by Alexander Aucott