George Michael has been arrested in public toilets for possession of drugs, according to a Sunday paper.

A spokesman for the Met Police said: "I can confirm that a 45-year-old man was arrested on September 19 on suspicion of possession of drugs in the Hampstead Heath area."

He added: "He was taken to a north London police station where he received a caution for possession of class A and class C drugs."

George Michael has enjoyed one of the most successful and enduring careers in the music business.

He has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, with seven US number-one singles, 11 number-one British singles and six number-one albums.

But behind the commercial success the singer's private life has not always run smoothly.

He spent years refusing to comment on his sexuality but in 1998 was forced to "come out" after being arrested in public toilets in Beverly Hills, California, for engaging in a lewd act.

The incident forced him to openly disclose his homosexuality and his relationship with American Kenny Goss.

He recently admitted in an interview that his late 20s had been a very depressing time for him after he lost his partner, Anselmo Feleppa, to HIV and his mother died some time later.

He said: "I had my very first relationship at 27 because I really had not actually come to terms with my sexuality until I was 24.

"I lost my partner to HIV then it took about three years to grieve; then after that I lost my mother. I felt almost like I was cursed."

In October 2006 he was found slumped over the wheel of his car. Last May he pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs and was banned from driving for two years.

Michael shot to fame in the 80s with schoolmate Andrew Ridgeley, the other half of Wham!

They had a string of hits including Wham Rap, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Freedom and I'm Your Man.

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