George Michael's sweet life-changing gesture after watching Deal or No Deal

Richard Osman has opened up about the connection he had to the late singer George Michael and how the Wham! star's generosity helped change the life of a woman he had never met.

The notoriously private pop star passed away on Christmas Day in 2016 from natural causes, and following his death, many stories of his good deeds and charitable donations came to light.

Speaking on his The Rest is Entertainment podcast with Marina Hyde, the 54-year-old explained that at the time George got in touch, he was working as a producer on the game show Deal or No Deal. During a recording, host Noel Edmonds asked contestant Nathan Hart what he would do with the money if he won the jackpot.

He explained that he and his partner Lynette were hoping to use the cash for IVF treatment, however, he ended up walking away with £3,000 - enough to pay for one round at the time.

After the episode aired, the show's producers contacted Lynette to say that an anonymous donor had pledged £9,000 to help with IVF costs. Stunned but determined to express her gratitude, Lynette sent a letter through the show, thanking the mystery donor for their help.

The money helped fund expensive tests at a London clinic, where it was discovered that Lynette had a rare condition called uterus didelphys, which meant her uterus, cervix, and vagina were divided into two parts. Additionally, tests revealed a high level of natural killer cells in her body, which were attacking and destroying her embryos. The good news was that the condition could be treated.

Then, in 2017, a miracle occurred: Lynette became pregnant naturally after missing her period on Christmas Day - a year to the day George died. She was hesitant to take a test out of fear of further heartbreak, but finally did so on Boxing Day.

The same day, Richard Osman tweeted about George Michael's donation to a contestant's IVF. Lynette contacted the production company, and Richard confirmed that she was the person referenced in the tweet.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: "When it sank in, I just burst into tears. I couldn't believe he was gone, and that I would never have the chance to thank him in person. I was heartbroken that he did something so kind, and I couldn't express my gratitude."

Her son Seth Logan George Hart, in honour of the star, was born on September 3, 2017, weighing a healthy 7lbs 10oz, nine months after George's passing. Lynette says she speaks about George to Seth a lot and points out his music when it plays on the radio.

Touching on the life-changing donation, Lynette said: "If I could see him, even for a minute, I'd tell him what an amazing person he was, how kind he was, and how honoured I feel to have touched his heart. My life finally started when I had Seth, and that's all because of George."

Those listening to the clip on Instagram rushed to flood it with comments. One user wrote: "Never heard a bad word about him, what a wonderful lovely human being, such a tragic loss." A second person added: "George really had a heart of gold." And someone else gushed: "That is beautiful, what a wonderful human being he was."