And one man who knew him better than most is Holywell Green businessman Terry George, a long-time friend. He has been left shattered by the news that has rocked the world.

The two met in 1979 when Mr George, then aged 13, knocked on the star's Leeds hotel room door.

"I used to interview famous people as a hobby and he was in Leeds with his brothers and he introduced me to his family. He suggested we kept in touch," said Mr George.

Mr George later received gifts including records and a Jehovah's Witness bible from the star who went on to become the world's biggest selling artist.

They later met again in London and the star gave his blessing to Mr George's memorial website.

Mr George had planned to meet up with the King of Pop at one of his concerts in London next month.

"I'm absolutely stunned. The world has lost a legend," he said.
Mr George said initially he thought the star's hospitalisation was a health scare.

"I was then getting calls he had died before it was on the news," he said.

Mr George will travel to the US for the funeral. "I'm absolutely devastated," said Mr George, who found fame on TV screens through his appearance on C4's The Secret Millionaire, and the castle home he shares with his partner Michael Rothwell was judged best in the I Own Britain's Best Home 2008 series.

Author Trevor Simp-son, of Sowerby Bridge, recalled Michael Jack-son's visit to the Victoria Theatre, Hali-fax, in his book Small Town Saturday Night Volume II, which features acts at Halifax dance halls.
Courier reader Nigel Beaumont, of Ambler Thorn, Queensbury, was at that concert with his wife-to-be Veronica (nee Benn) and a group of friends.
"We were at the back and it was full. We shouted out my wife's name and they sang the song Ben for my wife," he said.

While at the theatre the star asked for a basket of fruit, which was supplied by Halifax Borough Market greengrocer Philip Crossley who received a personal letter of thanks.

"He asked for a selection of fruit and said he enjoyed the bananas. I lost the note thinking it wasn't a big deal," said Mr Crossley.
"I am a fan and hope he is remembered for his music and not his strange lifestyle."