Mel Gibson to Play George Michael in Biopic

Mel Gibson has been lined up to play George Michael in a biopic of the singer's life.

Gibson, who has been accused of homophobia in the past, said he was "delighted" at being asked to play the controversial singer.

He said: "I am honored to have been chosen to play George Michael. This is a man who has struggled with his identity, fallen from grace and returned to the top of his game."

The film is expected to show some of the most notorious moments of Michael's career, such as getting caught propositioning a police officer in public toilets in Los Angeles.

The actor is also expected to polish up his singing voice and brush up on his dancing to remake videos such as Outside.

Michael said through his agent: "Watching Mel Gibson play me on screen is going to be interesting to say to the least. I hope he can return his hair to its Braveheart-era glory for the role."

In 1991, Gibson told a Spanish magazine that his posterior was "only for taking a s**t". He later said he had been drunk at the time.

The film is due to start filming later this spring.