Age has not yet caught up with Michael Jackson. Cosmetic surgery, unfortunately, has.

The troubled singer left himself open to less than flattering close-ups when he collected a series of awards at the Guinness World Records headquarters in London.

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The scarring caused by numerous cosmetic operations on his nose was painfully obvious.

There were deep "craters" on either side of his nostrils and a scar at the tip of his nose.

The "stitched-on" appearance of his hairline suggested he was either wearing a hairpiece or has had "plugs" of hair inserted into his scalp.

Apart from his usual red lipstick and sunglasses, Jackson , 48, dressed relatively conservatively for his visit, abandoning the bizarre array of veils, hats and gloves he usually favours.

His lack of gloves however, showed his brown, cracked nails were desperately in need of a little attention.

Jackson, who was cleared of child molestation after a trial last year, asked to collect his eight Guinness World Record certificates in person.

The records relate to various milestones over his 40-year career.

He is in London to appear at the World Music Awards in Earls Court — his first live performance in Britain in almost a decade.

Jackson is staying at the five-star Hempel Hotel in Bayswater, which he has taken over at the cost of £50,000 a night.

He squeezed in a shopping spree in Topshop in the early hours yesterday, after dining with owner Sir Philip Green at Nobu restaurant.

The billionaire opened his Oxford Street flagship store for Jackson for a 40-minute visit around midnight.

"We had a bit of chit-chat across the table and he was asking about the store, so I took him there," Sir Philip said.

"It was no mad shop-up — he just left with a couple of shirts and a jacket."