Jacko exits to a chorus of booing

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The superstar was making his comeback at the World Music Awards at Earls Court - the first time he has performed in Britain for a decade.

See more pictures from the World Music Awards here

Then he walked on stage ... and his much-vaunted reappearance turned into an embarrassing disaster. His entire performance consisted of one mangled line, several missed high notes and an exit to a chorus of boos from the audience.

"I love you," he told them - although whether the feeling was reciprocated is open to question.

The crowd had been expecting Jackson - making a rare public appearance since his acquittal on child abuse charges - to recreate the video from his Eighties hit Thriller. But the song was performed by American R&B star Chris Brown.

So far, so forgivable. Then Beyoncé gave a speech in his honour so over the top that it probably deserved an award of its own. Presenting him with a diamond award for selling more than 100 million records, she said: "If it wasn't for Michael Jackson I would never have performed. He's made such a big impact on my life and on every performer's life. Michael Jackson, we love you. Congratulations to the King of Pop."

Jackson replied: "I am greatly humbled by this award. It was my dream that Thriller would be the biggestselling album ever ... and God has answered my prayers."

Then it was time for probably the strangest spectacle to occur at a British awards ceremony since Jarvis Cocker invaded the stage during Jackson's performance at the Brit Awards in 1996. An overexcited teenage choir appeared, and the original recording of 1985 charity hit, We Are The World, struck up. Halfway through, Jackson appeared. After a minute, he picked up a microphone and sang one line, not particularly well. As kids leapt frantically around him, he attempted to deliver another, but had to stop as the song faded out. That was it: exit to boos.

Later on, Jackson's new London friend, Topshop boss Sir Philip Green had difficulties getting past bouncers at the after show party.