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LOSER WHO HAD THE LAST LAUGH; Derided as a talentless also-ran, George Michael's co-star Andrew Ridgeley sank into scruffy obscurity on a Cornish farm. But as he plans a surprise comeback to help his troubled friend, is HE the real success story?

Article Excerpt
Byline: KATHRYN KNIGHT

DUSK outside The Regal cinema in the Cornish village of Wadebridge, and a couple in their early 40s are buying tickets to see the Oscar-nominated film The Queen. Both are vaguely familiar in appearance, but dressed down in jeans and warm coats they easily blend in with the early evening crowd outside the ticket booth.

Later, they emerge arm in arm and drive to their local pub for a pint of Oakham Ale (a particular favourite), before making the short journey home to their large, comfortable farmhouse with its menagerie of dogs, cats and sheep.

It is a snapshot of a nice, low-key sort of life - one that 44-year-old Andrew Ridgeley and his long-term girlfriend Keren Woodward thoroughly enjoy.

Indeed, since decamping from the capital to live here 12 years ago, Ridgeley, one half of the phenomenally successful Eighties pop duo Wham!, has told friends he has never been happier. He prizes the anonymity he has found here in this picturesque spot on the North Cornwall coast.

That all looks set to change in the coming months, however. In London's showbusiness circles, the word is that Ridgeley is to emerge from rural hibernation for a series of one-off gigs this summer alongside former bandmate George Michael at the newly-completed Wembley Stadium (rumours further fuelled this week by newspaper adverts for the concert proclaiming the appearance of a 'Very Special Guest').

The deal is said to have been signed early in the new year, when Ridgeley agreed to make a guest appearance at the show to sing on one of Michael's most enduring hits, Careless Whisper.

If he does, it will be the first time the pair have sung together since their barnstorming farewell gig in front of tens of thousands of wailing fans at the same venue in 1986. Perhaps more...

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