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Screaming fans mob Jacko at his London hotel
Last updated at 12:22pm on 19.03.07Despite his fading popularity, singer Michael Jackson, 48, was mobbed by a diehard collection of fans at his London hotel.
Jacko seemed to enjoy the attention and rewarded one female fan with a kiss.
• Jacko jets in to sell Beatles to Macca
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Jackson rewards one of his waiting female fans with a kiss
The star, who is said to be facing serious financial difficulties, waded through the frenzy outside his hotel to hug and kiss the female fan, and greet others who had also been waiting.
He is rumoured to be in town to meet with Sir Paul McCartney's people to discuss the sale of part of his £200 million Beatles back catalogue in order to stave off bankruptcy.
Reach out and touch: A still popular Michael Jackson is at the centre of a frenzy as he is mobbed by fans at his London hotel
As he made his way into the hotel, fans, who had pitched up from all over the world, followed the frail-looking pop star to the lift screaming: 'Michael, Michael, We love you, Michael."
The Prince of Pop; Jackson can still draw the crowds wherever he goes
Wacko, 48, is currently holed up in the £3,000-a-night presidential suite on the 18th floor of the five-star hotel on Cadogan Place, which he checked into under the name of Ms Jackson.
The singer is said to be in town
The Prince of Pop is reported to be travelling with a team of 10 security guards to look after him and his two kids - Prince, 10, and nine-year-old Paris Michael - on their whistlestop visit to London.
Bouncers stand guard by the lift doors on the 18th floor around the clock to make sure that nobody outside his entourage can get any access to them.
While he is in town, the former Jackson Five star hopes to meet up with his big brother Jermaine - who is still in England after taking part in this year's Celebrity Big Brother - and his good friend David Gest.
Reader views (5)
Sophie, you are deluded i'm afraid on all your comments. There are many other people who would get a small to medium size crowd of people screaming for them. Just go to many movie premieres in the West End. There are certainly more people than were at Jacko's hotel on this particular day.
- Tecstar, London
I saw the "mob". Just a small crowd of loud girls, a few blokes, several bystanders wondering what the fuss was about and a whole load of paparazzi. Why people go mad for him now is beyond me. There was definitely something magic about him back in '84, but Thriller was the pinnacle of his career and his music has been in a steady decline since then. If it wasn't for the Wacko tag he wouldn't get half as much media attention, and what he gets is more than he deserves as a recording artist who doesn't do much recording. When Thriller sold 40 million copies, "King Of Pop" was a suitable moniker. Now? I Don't think so. If he sells another 40 million he can reclaim that crown.
- Tecstar, London
MJ is the one and only king of pop and he will always be. No one comes close. He is an awesome person and a genius too. It drives me crazy to see all the bad publicity he gets. To me, he gets my vote every time as he is amazing.
- Marie Claire, Leeds
Why have you suddenly called him The Prince of Pop? Believe me - he's still the King!
No one else in the world get this kind of reception!
I've been in the crowds and it's AMAZING to see the most famous person in the world and a true legend!
- Sophie, Surrey
10 security guards? Three grand a night suite? Doesn't sound like someone who's going bankrupt to me. And it only took his management 4 days to arrange a mob too.
- Keith, Farringdon
