Michael, the former Wham! frontman, lashed out what he dubbed media "slurs" about the state of his relationship with long-term partner Kenny Goss, whom he is due to "wed" in a civil partnership ceremony.

The News of the World tabloid had alleged Sunday that the British singer, 43, had had an intimate encounter with a man on Hampstead Heath, a large park in the north of the capital.

Michael threatened legal action against the man Thursday but said he would not sue Britain's best-selling newspaper.

The singer, in a series of television interviews Thursday, defended his sexual freedom and denied his practices were less safe than those of some heterosexuals.

"I have been doing this on and off since I was a teenager and never once seen violence," he told ITV newscaster Nina Hossain. "If I want to see violence or what I call shameful behaviour, the idea that women in clubs these days have to hold their hand over their drink for fear of being drugged...

"Please don't tell me as a member of the straight community that I am taking risks. I know what I do and I am sorry, but we should not be taking questions like this, from straight women in particular."

He said that "most men, gay or straight" found attractive the notion of sex with no strings attached.

"I do not deserve the criticism. What I don't have respect for is some demand for answers from an openly gay man who is living his own life.

"I have not cheated or lied about my sex life to anybody in my life, in my entire life. I hate not to be able to rise above it, but there is only so much you can take."

Regarding the News of the World story, he told the BBC: "I'm suing the individual involved who I have never, ever seen, let alone wanted to have any kind of sexual encounter with, and I'm currently investigating suing the secondary sources of libel."

He added that he was taking legal action against the photographers "because they're harassing me and I should not have to worry about who's watching me at 2:30 in the morning."

As for Hampstead Heath, Michael said he did not know anyone who went there at 2:00 am "for anything other than the reason of playing about with another member of the human race".

Michael's first tour for 15 years kicks off in Madrid on September 27. He said earlier this week that his proposed civil partnership ceremony with Goss had been postponed due to the increased likelihood of media intrusion due to the tour.

Michael rose to fame as half of Wham! in the 1980s. His 1998 arrest for lewd conduct at a public toilet in California forced his homosexuality into the public domain.

Michael has sold over 85 million records worldwide, notching up several number one singles in Britain and the United States, including "Careless Whisper" and "Faith".