George Michael died of natural causes

It has taken ten weeks to confirm that George Michael died of natural causes, as the result of heart disease and a fatty liver, a British coroner has said.

Darren Salter, senior coroner for the county of Oxfordshire in southern England, said a post-mortem found that the singer died of "dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver".

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the left ventricle of the heart becomes stretched and weakened, limiting the heart's ability to pump blood. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle.

The popular performer died at the age of 53 on Christmas Day at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

As this was a "natural cause of death", the coroner said there was no need for an inquest.

Thames Valley Police originally said his death was unexplained but not suspicious and an initial post-mortem examination was "inconclusive".

On Tuesday, the coroner said in a statement, "Inquiries into the death of George Michael have been concluded and the final post-mortem report received.

"As there is a confirmed natural cause of death, being dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver, the investigation is being discontinued and there is no need for an inquest or any further enquiries.

"No further updates will be provided and the family requests the media and public respect their privacy."