Family row over George Michael items up for auction – including Faith guitar
A family dispute has emerged over an auction of memorabilia given by George Michael to his long-time personal assistant, Siobhan Bailey. Her brother says she would have been horrified to see her cherished possessions sold, and has asked for the sale to be stopped or held in the name of her estranged husband, Ian Belcher.
The 32 lots include the Gretsch guitar Michael played in the “Faith” video, estimated at £60,000 to £120,000, as well as signed photographs and personal notes. Bailey died in 2014 while legally married to Belcher and without a registered will, so her estate passed to him; her brother says she had begun preparing a will that would have left the items to her nieces and nephews. Bids for a tour Filofax with her handwritten notes have already reached £1,750, against a guide price of up to £600.
In short
- George Michael’s “Faith” guitar is among 32 items going to auction.
- Siobhan Bailey’s brother objects to the sale and its use of her name.
- The guitar is estimated to fetch between £60,000 and £120,000.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The auction can be defended on the basis that Bailey died without a registered will, leaving her estate legally to her husband, who may therefore have the right to sell its contents. Selling the items could also realise their value and make them available to collectors, rather than leaving their future uncertain amid a family dispute.
The case against
Bailey’s brother argues that the memorabilia were deeply personal gifts and that she would have wanted them kept within the family, particularly as she had reportedly begun preparing a will for her nieces and nephews. On that view, proceeding with the sale before the family’s claims are resolved risks disregarding her wishes and permanently dispersing items with personal as well as financial value.
Explained simply
George Michael was a British singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1980s, first with Wham! and later as a solo artist. “Faith” was one of his best-known songs, and its music video featured a Gretsch guitar.
Siobhan Bailey worked for Michael as his personal assistant for many years and received keepsakes from him. She died in 2014 while still legally married to Ian Belcher, and without a registered will, so her estate passed to him.
The items include photographs and notes as well as objects linked to Michael’s career. The dispute centres on who should control Bailey’s possessions and whether her wishes about them were recorded; the outcome could affect the sale and who receives any proceeds.