World says goodbye to King of Pop

Jul 8 2009

Michael Jackson's children have paid tearful tributes to the "best father" imaginable as the world said goodbye to the King of Pop.

Questions are now being raised over the artist's final resting place after an estimated audience of more than one billion tuned into the biggest celebrity send-off ever.

A host of the world's biggest stars took part in the glittering memorial ceremony in Los Angeles.

But it was two children who made the greatest impression on the night - Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris Michael Katherine and 12-year-old Welsh schoolboy Shaheen Jafargholi.

Paris spoke in public for the first time. Shaheen, a former Britain's Got Talent contestant, delighted crowds with his performance of the Jackson Five hit Who's Lovin You? and won a standing ovation.

Paris, joined on stage by her two brothers Prince Michael Jackson II (also known as Blanket) and Prince Michael Jackson I to sing a final tribute song, fought back tears as she said: "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine and I just wanted to say I love him so much."

Former South African president Nelson Mandela and singer Diana Ross had led tributes to Jackson before his golden coffin - adorned with red flowers - was taken on stage.

Praising Jackson for triumphing over tragedy in his life, Mr Mandela said in a message read out by Smokey Robinson: "Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide."

Many in the audience were visibly upset at the sight of the coffin. Fans were seen breaking down in tears as the body was brought in as the Andrae Crouch Choir sang on stage.

The event, billed as the biggest celebrity send-off in history, ran at least 30 minutes longer than scheduled.