 Jackson will receive an award for his contribution to music |
Singer Michael Jackson who had been expected to perform at this year's World Music Awards has said he is not going to sing on stage. The 48-year-old, who arrived on the red carpet at London's Earls Court on Wednesday, briefly spoke to reporters.
He told them it had been a "mis-understanding" he would perform.
The star who wore all black and his trademark sunglasses was booed after failing to meet fans who had been waiting for hours to see him.
Fan disappointment
Fans from all over the UK had turned up for the arrival of the star on the red carpet, and many were disappointed as he was ushered inside the building.
"Please let that not be true," said 22-year-old Arif, who had bought tickets to the event especially to see Jackson perform.
"He will get the biggest boos if he doesn't perform," he added.
"I'm here for Michael, he's just the greatest, no one can take his place," Suzie Butler, 24, from Canterbury, said beforehand.
"People are going to be reminded just how great he is," she said.
Jackson's arrival in the UK has been the subject of intense media coverage, with fans and photographers camped outside his London hotel.
Beyonce Knowles will open the show with her hit single Deja Vu. Other confirmed artists include Katie Melua, Faithless, Enya and Nelly Furtado.
Pop stars Natalie Imbruglia and the Sugababes will present awards.
Record sales
Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell, singer of the latest James Bond theme, will also appear alongside former Bond girl Denise Richards.
Destiny's Child were named the world's best pop group at last year's event, held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
Gwen Stefani and rapper The Game were named best-selling female and male artists respectively.
The event, which awards prizes to artists based on international record sales, will be shown on Channel 4 on 23 November.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
People are going to be reminded just how great he is
