London nurses get free show from Michael

LONDON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- To thank the nursing staff who tended to his late mother, singer George Michael recently performed a free concert at London's Roundhouse Theatre.

The BBC reported the 43-year-old singer performed for 2,000 attendees, mostly National Heath Service nurses, as a way to honor the profession that helped his mother prior to her death.

"I salute you," the "This Is Not Real Love" singer said at the show. "This evening is 100 percent me saying, 'Thank you,' to you."

Also in attendance were comedians Ricky Gervais and David Walliams, along with actress Catherine Tate who, in a full nursing uniform, introduced the singer at the event.

The honorary concert represented the most recent outpouring of support for nurses by Michael, who in the past has informed area media of his respect for the profession.

"Society calls what you do a vocation, and that means you don't get paid properly," he once said during a newspaper interview. "Thank you for everything you do -- some people appreciate it. Now if we can only get the government to do the same thing."