Defiant superstar George Michael last night pledged to take legal action against "pretty much everybody involved" as he criticised the media in the wake of being caught cruising for sex with strangers.

The 43-year-old appeared furious as he reeled off "slurs" on his relationship prompted by the original newspaper revelations, which included being forced to call off his "wedding" to long-term partner Kenny Goss.

And, after the News of the World found him in an intimate clinch on Hampstead Heath in north west London, the former Wham! star again insisted Mr Goss had no problem with the way he lived his life.

Michael angrily rebutted suggestions that he had been risking his health: "I have been doing this on and off since I was a teenager and never once seen violence.

"If I want to see violence or what I call shameful behaviour, the idea that women that in clubs these days have to hold their hand over their drink for fear of being drugged."

He said "most men, gay or straight" would find the concept of no-strings sex attractive, adding: "I do not deserve the criticism."