Michael plays 14 dates around the UK in November and December

About 200,000 tickets were released in various stages on Sunday, with dates added in London, Birmingham and Manchester throughout the day.

Dan Marshall from promoter Marshall Arts Ltd said demand for the greatest hits concerts had been "very strong".

The company had "moved quickly" to confirm a total of 14 gigs, he added.

The tour is entitled 25 Live, and will see Michael performing tracks from all of his solo albums plus classics from his time in Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley.

He is playing seven dates in London, three in Manchester, another three in Birmingham and one in Glasgow.

The singer begins the tour in Madrid on 27 September before playing the first UK gig - at the MEN Arena in Manchester - on 17 November.

'Fantastic ticket sales'

"Ticket sales are fantastic," said Mr Marshall. "It's fair to say that the majority have been sold. In London, we've moved very quickly to put three additional shows to what we went on sale with."

He added it was "not unusual" to have extra dates lined up for release if demand was high - but said a fast decision was needed on Sunday when it became clear so many fans were clambering for tickets.

"We did have additional shows at Earls Court ready to go, but the demand has been such that we've moved quickly to have these on sale."

Recently attention has been focused on Michael's personal life rather than his music.

He was cautioned for possessing cannabis after being arrested in London in February.