The Hope cafe in Holloway Road

IN the newly released Netflix documentary, Wham!, the late George Michael reflects on signing the band’s first, and worst, record contract in “this little greasy spoon cafe” – The Hope in Holloway Road.

Despite a string of top 10 hits and worldwide tours, the band found themselves skint.

“It was ridiculous, we were coming off tour and having to go home to mum and dad, it was that bad,” said George, who lived in The Grove, Highgate, and is buried in Highgate cemetery.

“Two 18-year-old boys being taken to a greasy spoon and told they would not have their big chance of stardom if they didn’t sign that piece of paper? How is that fair?

“We received 4 per cent apiece on singles in the UK and 2 per cent in the rest of the world.

“We didn’t get any money on 12 inches, which was the main seller at the time. The whole thing was laughable.”