28 FEBRUARY 2002
Pop star George Michael is back on the music scene in a big way, starring in one of the most expensive music videos ever made. The £1 million clip for Freeek, which marks his return to the medium after a three-year absence, sees the Outside singer don £80,000 worth of costumes, including a racy rubber outfit for his portrayal of an alien.

The futuristic-themed video, shot last month in Los Angeles, casts George in the role of a space-age action hero as he sings along to the throbbing techno track. British fans got a sneak peek of the elaborate clip on UK's Channel 4, which previewed Freeek on Wednesday.

The star signed a rare, one-single contract with Universal Records to release the song, with plans for a new album later this year. But the former Wham! star isn’t embarking upon a press blitz for his latest endeavour – in fact, he won’t be doing any promotional interviews, but is relying on the edgy video to speak for itself.

The long-awaited single will go head to head against Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates’s Unchained Melody in the race to the top of the UK charts, as both are due for release on March 18.