Community service for singer George

The star was found slumped at the wheel of his Mercedes car at a road junction in north London in the early hours of October 1 last year.

The 43-year-old previously admitted the offence, claiming he was guilty due to tiredness and prescribed drugs.

He was sentenced to 100 hours community service, to be carried out over the next 12 months, and was disqualified from driving for two years at Brent Magistrates' Court in north London.

Michael, who was wearing a charcoal grey suit and black T-shirt, told sentencing Judge Katherine Marshall he was "ashamed" of the danger he had put other people in by his actions.

The court heard the star had a therapeutic quantity of an antidepressant in his system as well as the illegal Class C drug GHB and cannabis when he was found in his car.

But while the prosecution originally claimed he was unfit due to the cannabis he admitted smoking, that contention was later dropped.

Michael always denied being unfit to drive due to cannabis and said he had taken prescription drugs including a sleeping pill and was extremely tired.

Outside the court, Michael told dozens of waiting reporters and fans: "I've been sentenced on the basis of unfit driving through tiredness and prescription medications which I fully accept responsibility for. I'm glad to put this behind me and now I'm off to do the biggest show of my life."

The sentence means Michael can go ahead with two sell-out concerts at the new Wembley Stadium this weekend.