18,000 fans flooded the Palau Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona as George Michael kicked off his Live 25 tour.

"I've been waiting for this moment,” George Michael told the crowd. "You're beautiful... thanks for coming."

The performance of ‘Shoot the Dog’ featured a huge blow up doll of George Bush.

Crowds cheered as Michal unzipped the trousers of the giant balloon to reveal a British bulldog draped with a UK flag, attached to the crotch and waving its tail.

In regards to getting caught with his pants down and his involvement in numerous bizarre incidents he told the crowd: "As much as I'm going to disappoint those people who want to see more of my bottom, I'm going to be less of a showman and more of a singer."

He also excused rumours that his voice may have been affected by years of pot smoking insisting, "I'm still a tenor. Some my falsetto may have gone, but my voice in general sounds pretty much the same as ever."

The set list includes:

'Waiting' 'Flawless' 'Fastlove' 'Father Figure' 'Star People' 'The First Time That Ever I Saw Your Face' 'Praying For Time' 'Too Funky' 'You Have Been Loved' 'Everything She Wants' 'My Mother Had A Brother' 'Shoot The Dog' 'Faith' 'Spinning The Wheel' 'Jesus To A Child' 'Easier Affair' 'A Different Corner' 'Amazing' 'I'm Your Man' 'Outside' 'Careless Whisper' 'Freedom '90'

The live 25 tour will play at the following venues:

Manchester MEN Arena (November 17/18/21), Glasgow SECC (22), London Earls Court (25/26/28/29), Birmingham NEC (December 2/3/4), London Wembley Arena (11/12/14/15)