you're watching bbc news with ben brown. in a moment, we'll bejoined by bbc one viewers for a full round—up of the day's top stories. but first, more on the death of george michael. and an interview the singer gave to michael parkinson in 1998. my my connection with my mother, i spend a lot of time around though, so spend a lot of time around though, so from that point of view, my mother being english and in a strange way, very kind of classless, because she came from a working—class background, but she had been sent to a convent school, because her mother was afraid she was going to be a tomboy. so she was sent there, which firstly put her off religion and she spoke very well. she spoke almost with a middle—class accent. so we had this really weird thing that i spoke like somebody relatively middle—class, yet my father was first generation

immigrants, so the mentality of the two things. and my mother was also very british in that she had very... i get my attitude to money from her, which is that it was something to be afraid of and that of a long time for me to get over. yet, my father's attitude to money was to grab it and move up. was it to be rich and famous, your ambition? i realised about six months ago that somebody asked me a question and i realised that at no point during my early life when i was... in all my ambitions and when i started to realise them, at no point did i ever ordered it ever occurred to me that one of the by—products of this would bei one of the by—products of this would be i could buy whatever i wanted live in a big house and have flashy car. they are all very pleasant things, but it hadn't occurred to me. idid things, but it hadn't occurred to me. i did not want to be rich, i wa nted me. i did not want to be rich, i wanted to be filled fully famous.

did you think it will make you more attractive? like most singers, it was feeling not listened to. it was lots of feelings of low self—worth, all kinds of things, lots of screwed up all kinds of things, lots of screwed up things that go together to make somebody who becomes well known. what with the low self—worth based on? was it your looks? it was everything. my looks didn't help. you look ok now! i suppose i looked like a curly haired, fatter version than what i am now. i don't know if it was about. i probably felt better about the wire looked and i was 17 oi’ about the wire looked and i was 17 or 18 than about the wire looked and i was 17 or18 thani about the wire looked and i was 17 or 18 than i do now. it was this desire to be recognised and like i said, all the same things. i have

never met a star who did not come from the same kind of insecurity. it is the thing is missing that make you a star, not the things you will have. you did work for a time in various odd jobs. you were a dj. yes, ifear my various odd jobs. you were a dj. yes, i fear my first performances consisted of... i had to say this every nightjust consisted of... i had to say this every night just beforehand, consisted of... i had to say this every nightjust beforehand, because it was a dinner dance restaurant, very, very hip! i was allowed to play the occasional disco record between 70 requests for the birdie song. when people i'd finish and it was winding down, if you had never been there, you didn't know there was a dj, because i was stuck behind a big pillar, you weren't supposed to see me. that didn't do much from

my confidence. every night i would have to say, good evening, ladies and gentlemen, i hope you enjoyed your meal, welcome to the restaurant and we hope you will partake in a little dancing... it was so awful! so awful. my hands used to get clammy and sweaty every night before i had to do it, because i knew the moment i stopped talking, all the restau ra nt moment i stopped talking, all the restaurant noises, all the clinking glasses and cutlery would just go... and everybody would be like... that was every night, the same thing. i was every night, the same thing. i was hopeless at it. i have no idea how i am was hopeless at it. i have no idea howiama was hopeless at it. i have no idea how i am a bowl or was immediately able to sync the thousands and thousands of people when i literally just used to shudder at the thought of talking to these few dinner dance people. # i gotta have faith,

faith, faith... the singer died at his 0xfordshire home from suspected heart failure. a national day of mourning in russia for the victims of the black sea air crash. after heavy pre—christmas discounting, will the boxing day sales deliver for retailers? and sam allardyce returns to premier league action with crystal palace. good evening.

the music world has been paying tribute to george michael, who died last night from suspected heart failure at the age of 53. he sold more than 100 million albums in a career spanning three decades. he leapt to fame as one half of the pop duo wham, before forging a successful solo career, but he struggled with the pressures of fame. his former bandmate andrew ridgeley said he was "heartbroken at the loss of a beloved friend". 0ur arts editor, will gompertz, looks back at his life. # i #iama man... wearing a bikerjacket and a white t—shirt, george michael takes his first steps into the limelight as one half of the pop duo wham. # wake me up before you go... back then, he had big hair and a permanent tan, his idea of early 80s

glam. the reality was a little different. they stuck him in a hotel that couldn't have been more than a quick the night. i was sleeping, the night before i first took the parts, i had polystyrene sheets and it was a child sized bed. —— the night before my first top of the pops. my feet were over the end of it. no matter, he continued to live the dream, with feel—good, party pleasing chart hits. # all that's missing is the sea # all that's missing is the sea # but don't worry, you can suntan... then a change of tone and direction. # i'm never going to dance again am guilty feet have got no rhythm... leading to a career as a soulful single artist. his first album, faith, sold over 25 millions,

garnered awards galore and sealed his reputation as a major international artist. # i've got to have faith, faith... it was, oh, my god, i'm a massive star. it was like, oh, my god, i'm a massive star and i think i may be a puff, what am i going to do? this is not going to end well, you know? and i'd just like to say... that was the turning point for me. that was the point at which i had to negotiate some new relationship with celebrity that wasn't going to destroy me, you know? at one stage -- on stage, that wasn't a problem, his talents were widely admired, but his private life was different matter. homophobia was

just flying. they were loving it. to be able to say that this man who had hidden from them for the best part of six years by them, or seven yea rs, of six years by them, or seven years, the idea that he had been in tragic, old—fashioned, years, the idea that he had been in tragic, old —fashioned, stereotypical cottager, they just tragic, old —fashioned, stereotypical cottager, theyjust loved it. the whole experience led to this song, with its ironic, cheeky video. there we re with its ironic, cheeky video. there were other problems with drugs, addiction, and a spell injail after crashing his car into a shop in london, but his sense of humour remained. what you get up to in your spare time is up to you. that's why icame to spare time is up to you. that's why i came to comic relief. yorick joke, it's embarrassing. comic relief is about helping people like you. —— you are a joke. about helping people like you. —— you are ajoke. he about helping people like you. —— you are a joke. he collaborated with

other singers, you are a joke. he collaborated with othersingers, including elton you are a joke. he collaborated with other singers, including elton john, who wrote today, i have lost the kindest, most brilliant soul and brilliant artist. madonna also bid him farewell. his old wham partner, andrew ridgeley, wrote, i am heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend. # i should know by now the way i fought for you... that george michael is one of britain's biggest pop stars is without question. the 100 million albums he's old, the continued presence of his music on our radios and a sold out arena tour stands a testa m e nt to and a sold out arena tour stands a testament to his talent. made life affirming music touched and will continue to touch the lives of fans world over. george michael, who has died at the age of 53. as a tribute, bbc one will broadcast george michael in concert from 2012 tomorrow evening at 10pm.

russia is holding a day of national mourning for the 92 people who were killed when a military plane crashed in the black sea. pilot error or a technical fault are being blamed for the plane coming down just moments after it left sochi airport after refuelling. from moscow, steve rosenberg reports. across russia, they prayed for the dead... for the 92 victims of yesterday's plane crash. there was a special service today in every 0rthodox church in russia. this is a day of national mourning. this may be the last ever picture of the tupolev154. a few hours later it crashed into the black sea. the search operation continued today to recover bodies and wreckage of the plane. russia's transport minister said that technical failure or pilot error may have caused the crash.

terrorism is thought less likely. killed in the crash, more than 60 members of the russian army's song and dance troupe who were on their way to syria for a new year's concert. outside the musicians' headquarters in moscow there is now a shrine which grows bigger by the hour. as well as bringing flowers, icons and candles, people have been leaving messages. this says, "you were killed on take—off, farewell, friends. you won't be returning, we couldn't save you." natalia's son used to work in the ensemble but left. we mourn with everybody else, she says, there is pain deep in my soul. 0fficially, there is one day of national mourning but for many russians the sense of loss from this disaster will last much longer. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow.

the colombian authorities, investigating the plane crash last month in which 71 people died, have concluded the aircraft ran out of fuel. the plane, which was carrying brazil's chapecoense football club, crashed near the city of medellin. six people survived. on a leaked tape, the pilot who died was heard warning of a "total electric failure" and "lack of fuel". however, he didn't make a formal distress call. bargain hunters were up early this morning for the boxing day sales, despite analysts suggesting cheaper prices in the run—up to christmas would mean the shops being a little less busy than last year. the fall in the value of the pound since brexit is also providing an incentive for tourists looking for a bargain. the former governor of the bank of england, lord king, suggested today that britain would be better off leaving the single market completely if it wants to strike trade deals outside the eu.

here's our economics correspondent, andy verity. after one day's respite, 1a million of us are expected to hit the shops today, drawn in by the theory that goods are significantly cheaper than they were two days ago. from birmingham to belfast, £3 billion is expected to be spent in shopping centres in the high street, with up to another billion online. i always do it every boxing day morning. why? ijust love sale shopping. i'm normallyjust looking for a really good deal, like half price. we were here last february and the exchange rate was 1.5 and it is much less now. we get a lot more for our money this year than last. the international visitors joining the crowds in london's west end aren'tjust coming for the boxing day sales. the brexit vote has weakened the pound and that means that their money buys about a fifth more here than it did year ago. it's effects like that that create the hope that the brexit vote could lift exports and provide,

at least in the short term, a positive economic effect. 0ne legacy of the credit boom of the last decade and the bust that followed it was consumers borrowing unprecedented amounts to buy imported goods, while exports trailed behind. today, the man who presided over that boom and bust was hoping that brexit might throw that into reverse. there are many opportunities and we should look at it in a much more self—confident way than either side is approaching it at the moment. i think that being out of what has been an unsuccessful european union, particularly in the economic sense, brings us opportunities as well as obviously great political difficulties. to the incoming us commerce secretary though, brexit is an opportunity not for us but for other countries to benefit from the confusion. billionaire businessman wilbur ross has called it a god—given opportunity for cities from dublin to frankfurt to take business away from the london. and that's the man chosen by donald trump to lead trade negotiations with theresa may's government. andy verity, bbc news.

50,000 people in england at risk of type—2 diabetes could be helped by an nhs programme that's being extended from today. the advice on better nutrition and exercise has already helped 20,000 people. it forms part of a package of new measures to curb type—2 diabetes, including funding for more specialist nurses. parts of scotland have been experiencing snow and winds of more than 90mph as storm conor made its presence felt across the north. 0rkney and shetland and the northern tip of the mainland are the areas being hit hardest by the southern fringe of the boxing day storm. tomorrow, a weather warning is in force for the highlands and northern isles. last week, thousands of homes were left without power after storm barbara swept through. with all the sport, here's reshmin choudhary at the bbc sport centre. good evening. three days after being appointed by crystal palace, the former england manager

sam allardyce has taken charge of his first game for the club, a draw against watford. earlier this year, he left his job as national manager afterjust one match, when a newspaper investigation claimed he offered advice on how to "get around" transfer rules. david 0rnstein reports. 90 days after losing his dream job, time for the first 90 minutes of his newjob. from the national team to the palace, succeed with the eagles and big sam's reputation will soar. he has never been relegated from the premiership and he tends to have an immediate impact, and palace were the latest club to profit, yohan cabaye the first scorer of the new iraq. watford were being outplayed and, in the case of their goalkeeper, outpaced. but if christian benteke recovered to take the kick, heurelho gomes dean ——

redeemed himself to save it. referee mark clattenburg again pointed to the spot, on this occasion in favour of watford. fortuitous or not, troy deeney showed christian benteke how it is done. wounded, palace went for the winner. wilfried zaha appealed for another penalty but he got a yellow card. already angry, alla rdyce was yellow card. already angry, allardyce was enraged. you have to remember that for many years i only enjoyed after the game. i have never enjoyed after the game. i have never enjoyed the game in my life as a manager, so enjoyed the game in my life as a manager, so i'm not going to start now. allardyce -- palace will see it as two points dropped but, with him in charge you suspect that they have plenty to gain. there are seven other boxing day fixtures in the premier league. leaders chelsea are now nine points clear at the top of the table thanks to a 3—0 win over bournemouth. pedro scored two of the goals. the third was a penalty by eden hazard. here's confimration of those results. in the teatime kick—off, manchester city are away at hull city.

the latest score there is 0—0. in horseracing, boxing day sees the running of the king george vi stakes at kempton. this year's race was won by favourite thistlecrack with tom scudamore on board. his stablemate cue card, who won the race in 2015, finished in second place, just over three lengths back. there are three matches today in rugby's pro 12, all of them derbies. cardiff blues saw off their south wales rivals newport gwent dragons 27—16. steven shingler scored the first try for cardiff and went on to set up another, as all the points were scored in the first half. elsewhere, edinburgh lost at home to glasgow. in ireland, leaders munster are currently behind against second placed leinster. and in the english premiership, tom varndell scored all three tries for bottom of the table bristol as they beat worcester 28—20. and that's your sport.

there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. we are back with the late news at 10:40pm. now on bbc one, it's time for the news where you are. goodbye. hello. this is bbc news, with lu kwesa burak. some of the biggest names in music have been paying tribute to george michael, who's died at the age of 53. his manager says he suffered heart failure at his 0xfordshire home. sir eltonjohn has described him as a "brilliant artist". boy george says "his music will live on as a testament to his talent". earlier i spoke to is mark frith — editor in chief of now magazine. a lot of people now say they had heard that, but we had knocked, and it was something you wouldn't some are surprised by. he kept himself to himself, he made records but did not really embraced the public side of it. what

sort of relationship did magazines have with him? in the early 80s, he put himself out there a lot. he was on the cover of smash hits than any other pop star of that era. but towards the end of the decade, and the beginning of the 90s, he for the music press do not appreciate him and he had issues with record companies. there were legal battles. so it suited him to draw back and write and make records and do it on his own terms. he was always having a tricky relationship with the press, because he was a very shy person. talking about writing records, how would you describe the maturity or a revolution of his songwriting from his poppy records with andrew, to his solo career. his

first two singles are all about life on the dole in the early 80s when a lot of young people do not have jobs. and he got a lot of criticism for club tropicana, and the kind of like that unashamedly pop, so the big hits were out and out pop records. at the end of the decade, with listen without prejudice in 1990, you wanted to be taken seriously, he was a solo artist and wa nt to seriously, he was a solo artist and want to say something about the political times he was living in. he was famously a labour supporter. he said stuff about what people were feeling as well as personal stuff. he would not object to it a lot of the time, though we now know it was very personal. did he write all his songs where were the collaboration is on its hits? jealous whisper was written with andrew. george wrote a lot of the wham stuff on his own,

that andrew was a full collaborator in what would turn out to be the first of many solo singles. he likes working alone and never found a collaborator in the way that elton john did with barely talk them. he liked working alone, it was a solitary pursuit for him and meant he could do things at his own pace. a lot ofjournalists saying he was very ready, very open to talk about matters that a lot of us would not wa nt to matters that a lot of us would not want to talk about. he wore his heart on his sleeve. but when it came to his music, he held back. why? he felt it was too public. he did not want to be exposed to much. he admired bolton john did not want to be exposed to much. he admired boltonjohn and how he was able to make songs that were pop music and existed and that own three—minute space that could talk about things but not necessarily personal things. at the heart of it, he wanted to make great, timeless

p0p he wanted to make great, timeless pop songs. the most streamed record on spotty fight yesterday, even before the news came through, was last christmas. he succeeded in his great ambition to make timeless pop records. he sang a lot of duets and said that a lot of the time he could not believe he was standing next to somebody who he had admired as a child, as an artist. did he crave that respect from his peers?‘ little. i think he thought he wasn't taken seriously. but yes, he record with eltonjohn taken seriously. but yes, he record with elton john and taken seriously. but yes, he record with eltonjohn and aretha franklin and maryj blige. they were big moments for him. george michael will of course be remembered for his music during a career which spanned for decades and won generations of fans. let's listen back to some of his greatest hits — starting with his very first appearance — with wham — on top of the pops. # see me, single and free # no tears, no fears, what i want to be # one, two, take a look at you

# death by matrimony! # wham! # bam! #iam! # a man! #job or nojob, you can't tell me that i'm not # do! # you! # enjoy what you do? # if not, just stop! # don't stay there and rot! # you put the boom—boom into my heart # you send my soul sky high when your lovin' starts #jitterbug into my brain # goes a bang—bang—bang till my feet do the same. # club tropicana, drinks are free # fun and sunshine, there's enough for everyone. # all that's missing is the sea but don't worry, you can suntan! # last christmas, i gave you my heart # but the very next day, you gave it away # this year, to save me from tears

# i'll give it to someone special. # oh, when that love comes down without devotion # well, it takes a strong man, baby # but i'm showing you the door # cos i gotta have faith # i gotta have faith # cos i gotta have faith, faith # i gotta have faith, faith, faith. # to the heart and mind # ignorance is kind # there's no comfort in the truth # pain is all you'll find # i'm never gonna dance again. # but if you're looking for fast love # if that's love in your eyes. # let's go outside # in the sunshine

# i know you want to but you can't say yes # let's go outside. # you smiled at me # likejesus to a child #. remembering the music there of george michael. it is getting cold out there and it is getting colder. violent winds across the far north courtesy of storm conor. high pressure is building in over the next few days. no real hazards out there tonight though, the worst of the wind is continuing to ease off from the far north. a few showers left behind,

but elsewhere, a dry that frosty start of the day across the southern and central areas. temperatures as low as minus four. bright and crisp for the most part. a touch of frost further north, but generally, temperatures higher food northern england, ireland and scotland. showers will not be as widespread. the vast majority of us will have a dry day with a lot of sunshine. any freezing fog patches should disperse. they will feel chilly, despite the blue sky and sunshine and light winds. 5—6d. those temperatures will fall away as the sun goes down. high pressure remains in control. but underneath that area of high pressure, we will have a problem and that will be fog. we are

expecting it to turn widespread across parts of england and wales for the middle of this week and there will be some disruption at times. foggy start on wednesday across many central and southern parts of the uk and since some places it will linger. 0utside parts of the uk and since some places it will linger. outside of the foggy areas, plenty of christmas and shy, more cloud, more breeze across northern ireland and scotland and that will keep the temperatures up and that will keep the temperatures up relatively speaking, so 8—10d, whereas further south than these, despite some sunshine, it will be colder and weather fog lingers, temperatures will be even lower and iam temperatures will be even lower and i am expecting that to