George Michael reveals he quit smoking cannabis ''over a year-and-a-half'' ago.

The 'Faith' hitmaker explained he has ''completely stopped'' taking the drug, and been clean for over 18 months.

Asked if he still smokes marijuana, he told The Big Issue magazine: ''Not at all. I've completely stopped. I haven't touched it for well over a year-and-a-half now.''

The star also revealed how his stay in Pentonville prison in 2010 - following a car crash while high on cannabis and anti-anxiety pill Amitriptyline - was ''easier'' than he expected because he knew it was ''deserved''.

He explained: ''Jail wasn't great. I just thought, get your head down and get on with it.

''It turned out to be easier than I was expecting because I knew I deserved to be there ... I was pretty overwhelmed by the love and support [the fans] showed me.''

He also opened up about his battle with pneumonia a few years ago, during which he spent weeks in an intensive care unit.

He said: ''On a sub-conscious level it was very frightening and I'll probably never feel quite as safe again.

''But I was just so grateful to come out alive and get back to my home in London.''