George Michael’s sister, Melanie Panayiotou dies exactly three years after her brother on Christmas Day.

George Michael’s sister Melanie Panayiotou died on Christmas Day – exactly three years after her popstar brother.

The hairdresser was found at her home in Hampstead by her sister Yioda on 25 December.

She was 55 years old.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘Police were called by London Ambulance Service at approximately 19:35hrs on Wednesday, 25 December to reports of the sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s, at an address in Oak Hill Park, NW3.

‘The death is not being treated as suspicious by police.

‘A report will be compiled for the Coroner into the circumstances.’

Her cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Lawyer John Reid said on behalf of the family: ‘We can confirm that very tragically Melanie has passed away suddenly.

‘We would simply ask that the family’ s privacy be respected at this very sad time.’

Melanie and George – whose mother Lesley died in 1997 – are survived by their father Kyriacos, known as Jack, and their oldest sister Yioda, 57.

Melanie and her brother were close, and she was left part of his estate – which included a £97.6million fortune and a Grade II listed mansion in Highgate, North London – after his death.

In November she stood up for her brother in a magazine article, saying he was ‘my ‘very proud to be gay’ brother, contrary to what you may have read recently.’