HOWZAT

Britney Spears, who duetted with Jackson at his 30th anniversary concert in New York, said: "I was so excited to see his show in London.

"We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!"

Cher, the American singer, said she was "having a million different reactions I didn't expect I would feel".

"He was a great singer - God gives you certain gifts and this child was just an extraordinary child touched by this ability. He could sing like nobody else and he was able to connect with people," she said.

Celine Dion said: “I am overwhelmed by this tragedy. Michael Jackson has been an idol for me all my life. He was not only a talented person but he was unique - a genius.

“It's such a loss. It feels like when Kennedy died, when Elvis died. My sympathy goes to the family. It's a big loss and it's not even sinking in right now."

MC Hammer, the rapper, sent a tweet: "I will be mourning my friend, brother, mentor and inspiration," he wrote. "He gave me and my family hope. I would never have been me without him."

Justin Timberlake said: "We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music.

"He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."

Beyonce said it was a “tragic loss”.

“He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the king of pop

Snoopdogg and Katie Price, also known as Jordan, used Twitter to express their grief.

Jane Fonda said: “I am stunned. My friend Michael Jackson is dead. He lived with me for a week on ‘Golden Pond’ set after ‘Thriller’.”

Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, the group that organizes the Grammy Awards, said: "Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility and sheer star power carried him from childhood to world wide acclaim.

"A 13-time Grammy recipient, Michael's career transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories."

Entertainers and actors joined their voices to the tributes.

Demi Moore wrote on Twitter: "I am greatly saddened for the loss of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Especially for their children!".

Brooke Shields, a longtime friend of Jackson’s, said: "My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing."

Elizabeth Taylor, the veteran actress and a close friend of the star, said she was "too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time" but promised one later.

Liza Minnelli, the entertainer, said of Jackson: "He was a kind, genuine and wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life."

British politicians were among the first to pay tribute. The panel on BBC show The Question Time, including Jim Knight MP and Pauline Neville-Jones gave a toast to Michael Jackson in the Green Room at the end of filming.

David Cameron the Tory leader said: “Despite the controversies, he was a legendary entertainer. Everyone will be thinking of his family, especially his children, at this time.”

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