Pop star George Michael plans to "marry" his long-term partner Kenny Goss. The former Wham! singer said he and his lover hope to hold a small, private ceremony in Britain next year "without the whole veil and gown thing". The first civil partnership ceremonies for gay couples begin on 21 December at England.

"I'm sure Kenny and I will be doing the old legal thing, but we won't be doing the whole veil and gown thing," said Michael.

"It'll be relatively soon after it comes in, probably early next year."

The singer, who was speaking after a screening of a revealing new documentary about his turbulent career, said he would be attending the civil partnership ceremony of Elton John and David Furnish next month, one of the first unions following the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act.

Michael said his "marriage" will be a "small, private ceremony".

Referring to his own plans, the 42-year-old star said: "It'll be relatively soon after it comes in, probably early next year."

As to where the singer will wed Texan Kenny Goss, 47, he added: "We'll probably do it here, not abroad."

The singer was speaking after a screening of a new documentary about his career.

He said he would be attending the civil partnership ceremony of singer Elton John and partner David Furnish next month.

The date of 21 December has been named as the "probable" day for Elton John's ceremony.

The government has predicted that up to 22,000 gay couples will take civil partnership in the first five years.

Source: BBC