Siobhan Bailey passed away suddenly at age 56 in 2014 while in the middle of divorcing Ian Belcher, leaving no registered will. Because of this, Belcher obtained legal ownership of her assets, which included gold sales awards, signed photographs, and a 1988 tour Filofax. Gerard Bailey condemned the public sale, stating his sister intended the memorabilia for her nieces and nephews. Neither Belcher nor the auction house responded to the ethical criticisms surrounding the promotion of the event.
Key points
Ian Belcher possessed the uncontested legal right to sell the estate's items despite ongo…: Ian Belcher possessed the uncontested legal right to sell the estate's items despite ongoing divorce proceedings at the time of Bailey's death.
Gerard Bailey unsuccessfully demanded the auction be called off or held strictly under Be…: Gerard Bailey unsuccessfully demanded the auction be called off or held strictly under Belcher's name rather than his sister's.
Both the auction house and Belcher declined to provide comment regarding the family dispu…: Both the auction house and Belcher declined to provide comment regarding the family dispute over the memorabilia sale.
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George Michael’s iconic guitar from his 1987 hit 'Faith' music video has sold for £234,000 at auction, amid a family dispute over the sale of the late singer’s personal memorabilia. The instrument was among 32 lots from the collection of Siobhan Bailey, Michael’s longtime personal assistant and trusted confidante, being auctioned by Sworders.
According to the BBC, the auction sparked a dispute between Bailey’s family and her estranged husband, Ian Belcher, who is selling the items after inheriting them following her death in 2014. Her brother, Gerard Bailey, has strongly objected to the sale, claiming his sister would have been horrified to see her cherished possessions auctioned off.
Why George Michael’s guitar auction sparked a family dispute
The guitar, which Michael played in the video for 'Faith', was gifted to Siobhan Bailey by the singer, according to her brother. Bailey worked with Michael for two decades, beginning in 1984, when his band Wham! was enjoying its rise to fame.
Gerard told the BBC that his sister was in the process of divorcing Belcher when she died suddenly at the age…
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