Career Highs & Personal Lows For George Michael

George Michael will appear in court on drug-driving charges the day before performing at the new Wembley Stadium. The singer was ordered to be at London's Brent Magistrates' Court on June 8 yesterday.

The 43-year-old star faces charges of being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs and driving while unfit through drugs after he was found slumped at the wheel of his car in London last October. He was also cautioned for cannabis possession.

Michael - real name George Panayiotou - is set to be the first singer to perform at London's much-delayed 90,000 capacity super-venue on June 9. District Judge Katherine Marshall rejected the star's application to be absent from the trial. Marshall has ordered Michael to appear on the first day of the trial on May 8 and then again on the final day, June 8.

Marshall said: "He is around in the area because I believe he is appearing at Wembley Stadium. I do not think he will have any difficulty in being here on June 8."

Michael denies being unfit to drive through drugs.