Music - George Michael has announced plans to release a brand new single for Christmas, as well as a live DVD.

George's current record company Sony is to release the 'Live In London' DVD on December 7th. This release will fulfill George Michael's contract with Sony, after which time he will be free to sign with Island Records. The deal will just be for a one-off single, MusicWeek.com has reported.

The single, 'December Song' will initially be released as a download on December 13th, and will then be released on CD the next day. The song, written with David Austin, has previously been released as a free download last year, however, this single will be a new version of the song.

The release is George Michael's first Christmas single release since Wham's 'Last Christmas'. Rumours of an appearance on The X Factor final show in the UK are to be confirmed.

'December Song' is released to download on December 13th, and on CD December 14th 2009.