George Michael will be the first performer at the new Wembley

The pop superstar, 43, was arrested last October and faces charges of driving under the influence of drugs.

A district judge in north-west London ruled on Tuesday that Mr Michael's trial would start on 8 May, followed by hearings on 30 and 31 May and 8 June.

The star, real name George Panayiotou, is due to play the first concert at the new Wembley Stadium on 9 June.

The concert is part of his British and European stadium tour, which starts in May.

Mr Michael is facing charges of driving while unfit through drugs and being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs.

Traffic 'obstruction'

District Judge Katherine Marshall at Brent Magistrates' Court rejected an application for the singer to be allowed to be absent throughout the trial.

She said she wanted him to be in court on 8 May and would be willing, if he did not wish to remain at the trial, to bail him to reappear on the final day, 8 June.

Judge Marshall said: "He is around in the area because I believe he is appearing at Wembley Stadium. I do not think he will have any difficulty in being here on June 8."

Mr Michael was arrested on 1 October after motorists called police to report a car causing an obstruction at traffic lights in Cricklewood.

He was subsequently charged with being unfit to drive through drugs and cautioned for cannabis possession.