George Michael has hit back at criticism that he cashed in on the Olympics by using the closing ceremony as the launch pad for his new single.

In a message to his fans, he said: “I don’t regret it.”

Michael raised eyebrows during the showpiece event when he performed his new track White Light, as other artists were drawing on their biggest hits for the music spectacular being viewed around the world.

The song was his first new material released since he was fighting for his life late last year after contracting pneumonia. It was inspired by his health woes.

His performance on Sunday marked his return to the stage after being confined to hospital for several weeks in Vienna as a result of the illness.

Michael’s apparent use of the high-profile event seems to have paid dividends as he looks likely to register his first top 10 hit for eight years when the Official Charts Company unveils the forthcoming singles chart at the weekend.

In a message on Twitter, he said: “Had a great time at the closing! I hope you are not bothered by the press reports of my scandalous ‘promotion’.”

Michael also performed Freedom ’90, which made it to only number 28 in the charts, despite having a series of chart-toppers and top 10 hits over the past two decades to choose from.