Stars pay tribute to 'genius' Jacko

12 April 2012

Stars mourned Michael Jackson as a loss to the world of music.

Leading the tributes was his ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley.

In a statement reported on the BBC website, she said: "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family."

She added: "This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me."

Mark Lester, who is godfather to Jackson's children, described him as "a very sweet, kind and loving man". The former child star said the pair first met more than 30 years ago. "The last time we saw him he was in London a few weeks ago," he said. "He was absolutely fine. I can't believe this, it's such a shock."

He told GMTV that Jackson was ready for his planned gigs in London, saying: "If he didn't think he could do it, he wouldn't have done it."

Former child actor Corey Feldman, who was a close friend of Jackson's, wrote on his website: "He was my idol, he was a role model, he was someone to cry to when my childhood was unbearable, he was a brother, he was a dear friend."

He said the pair fell out eight years ago, but he remained close to the Jackson family. He wrote: "I am trembling and shaking at the moment and it is very hard to type. I am filled with tremendous sadness and remorse."

A host of celebrities from the music and entertainment industries lined up to acknowledge the star's genius. Madonna said in a statement on the BBC website: "I can't stop crying over the sad news. I've always admired Michael Jackson - the world has lost one of its greats but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."

Friend and psychic Uri Geller said from his home in Sonning, Berkshire: "I'm shocked and devastated. I am hoping this is a dream I will wake up from, but it is not. Michael is dead. For him not to be around, that he's gone, is just surreal. It cannot sink into my psyche. He was a genius."

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