Entertainment · Music · 3 hrs ago
George Michael memorabilia auction prompts family dispute
Items belonging to George Michael’s former assistant are up for auction, including the guitar he played in the “Faith” video.
Siobhan Bailey worked for Michael as his personal assistant for 20 years and was known for protecting his privacy.
She died while still legally married to her husband, Belcher, although they were in the process of divorcing.
She left no will, so her estate legally passed to him; her brother says she had begun drafting a will that would have left the items to her nieces and nephews.
Her brother says the family opposes selling the personal items, which include notes and a Filofax with her handwriting.
The guitar is estimated to be worth £60,000 to £120,000, and some other items have already attracted bids above their estimates.
Bailey has asked the auction house to stop the sale or list it in Belcher’s name rather than his sister’s.
Memorabilia belonging to Siobhan, George Michael’s former personal assistant, is being offered at auction, prompting objections from her family.
Her brother, Bailey, has asked the auction house to stop the sale or list it in the name of Siobhan’s estranged husband, Belcher.
Siobhan died suddenly at 56 without a will, so her estate legally passed to Belcher, who was still her husband.
Bailey says Siobhan wanted the items to remain with her family and would not have agreed to their sale.
The auction includes the guitar Michael played in the Faith video, estimated to sell for £60,000 to £120,000.
- Who
- Siobhan’s brother, Bailey, objects to the auction of her possessions. Her husband, Belcher, is selling the items.
- What
- Personal items and memorabilia connected to George Michael are up for auction. Bailey has asked for the sale to be stopped or conducted in Belcher’s name.
- When
- The auction is taking place now; the article was published on 29 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Bailey says Siobhan wanted the items to stay with her family and would not have consented to their sale. Her estate legally passed to Belcher because she died without a will while still married to him.
Siobhan’s family
Belcher
Auction
Siobhan’s family
Bailey has asked that the auction not go ahead, or that it be held in Belcher’s name rather than Siobhan’s.
Belcher
Belcher is selling the items; the article says there is no suggestion he lacks the legal right to do so.
Use of Siobhan’s name
Siobhan’s family
Bailey calls the use of her name disingenuous and says the auction breaches her privacy.
Belcher
Not stated
Siobhan began working as George Michael’s personal assistant.
Michael played the guitar now being auctioned in the Faith music video.
Bailey accused Belcher of deciding to cash in on her possessions.
The BBC reported that the auction was prompting a dispute with Siobhan’s family.
- Guitar estimate
- £60,000 to £120,000
- Filofax current bid
- £1,750
- Filofax guide price
- Up to £600
- Siobhan’s age at death
- 56
- Siobhan’s time as Michael’s assistant
- 20 years
What people are saying
breach of [Siobhan's] privacy
she would never have consented
I think she'd be devastated that something as personal as her Filofax and notes from George are up for grabs. It's just so tawdry and contrary to how she was
I think she was one of the few people George trusted and whose opinion he valued