George Michael's US return

George Michael has announced plans to tour North America for the first time in 17 years.

The 'Careless Whisper' singer will kick off his 22-date run through the US and Canada on June 17 at the San Diego Sports Arena.

The '25 Live' tour - which follows George's 2006-07 European tour of the same name - will take in 20 cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto, before ending on August 3 at Florida's BankAtlantic Center, in Fort Lauderdale.

George has racked up seven US numbers one singles and two Grammy awards. His album 'Faith' has also sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

The tour - his first in the US since 'Cover to Cover' in 1994 - will promote his double-disc retrospective LP 'TwentyFive', which is finally scheduled for a US release on April 1.

The 29-song compilation, which was released in the UK in 2006, also features several new songs, including duets with Sir Paul McCartney and Mary J. Blige.

George, 44, has kept a low-profile in the US since his arrest for lewd conduct in a Los Angeles public toilet in 1998.

In 2002, he upset many Americans with his anti-war song 'Shoot The Dog' which poked fun at US President George Bush and then British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

George, who was arrested after falling asleep at the wheel of his car in London, has told fans not to expect any more scandals from him, saying: "I really don't think so. I've run out of ideas."

Tickets for the North American tour go on sale to the general public on April 6, a week after becoming available to fan club members.