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SEE Michael Jackson’s star-studded memorial

By Ruth Doherty on Wednesday 8 July 2009

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Michael Jackson's Funeral

Tens of thousands of fans lined the LA streets last night to say goodbye to Michael Jackson at his funeral procession and memorial concert.

The 90-minute televised event saw throngs of fans gathering to watch, and a host of stars lining up to perform and pay their respects to Michael on-stage.

SEE ALL THE PICTURES OF MICHAEL JACKSON'S MEMORIAL CONCERT HERE

But it was his daughter, Paris, who provided the most heart-melting moment when she broke down while paying tribute to her dad.

Paris’s voice broke as she told the audience at the Staples Center: ‘I just want to say... ever since I was born.... daddy has been the best father you can imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.’

WATCH THE EMOTIONAL SPEECH BELOW:

The 11-year-old was surrounded by her aunties, uncles and two siblings as she delivered her tearful speech, and was comforted by Janet Jackson and her uncle Marlon.

A who’s who of the entertainment world paid respects to the pop legend, who died on 25 June from a heart attack aged just 50, including Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Richie, John Mayer and even BGT’s Shaheen Jafargholi.

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Jackson's brothers, each wearing one white glove, began the concert by wheeling his flower-covered, gold-trimmed casket onto the stage at the Staples Center, where days before his death he was rehearsing for his O2 concerts.

The coffin took pride of place under a spotlight throughout the bash, performed in front of thousands of his fans.

SEE OUR PHOTO TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON HERE

Soul star Smokey Robinson opened the memorial with tributes from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross, before Pastor Lucious Smith spoke on behalf of the Jackson family.

‘We come to this space where only days ago Michael Jackson sang,' he said. 'First and foremost, this man was our brother, our son, our father and our friend.

'In his very beautiful and very human heart, Michael Jackson wanted nothing more than to give love to the world.’

Superstar Mariah Carey was the first star to take to the stage, belting out a performance of I’ll Be There.

Next, Queen Latifah and Berry Gordy Jr paid tribute, desribing him as ‘the greatest entertainer that ever lived’.

Stevie Wonder serenaded his coffin with the song Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer, which featured in the movie Poetic Justice, starring Michael’s sister Janet Jackson.

Following Wonder’s performance were lighthearted reflections from Michael’s sporting friends Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant.

Johnson said they first met when Jackson’s brother Marlon was a season ticket holder for the Los Angeles Lakers.

He visited Jackson to discuss appearing in the video for Remember the Time.

On arrival, the chef asked what he wanted to eat, and Johnson recalled saying grilled chicken.

‘The chef brought me out the grilled chicken, but he brought Michael a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. That was the greatest moment of my life,’ he laughed.

An eight-month-pregnant Jennifer Hudson then gave a moving gospel performance of Jackson’s Will You Be There.

Brooke Shields broke down as she paid tribute to Michael and their most ‘magical and easiest of friendships’.

For the show's finale, This Is It tour director Kenny Ortega came out to introduce Shaheen Jafargholi, who had been due to join Jackson on-stage at the O2.

The Welsh Britain's Got Talent runner-up's voice shook as he performed what was undoubtedly the most nerve-wracking thing he’s ever done in his life.

'I love Michael Jackson,' the 12-year-old told the crowd.

Ortega then introduced a piece that would have appeared at the London This Is It shows, a performance of We Are The World featuring Jackson's backing singers.

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For the song's finale, Jackson's children, Smokey Robinson, Usher and Brooke Shield went on stage to sing the chorus.

But it was his children Paris, 11, Prince Michael I, 12, and Prince Michael II, 7, who, without their masks, ended the memorial most poignantly by saying a sad goodbye to ‘dad’.

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Wednesday 8 July 2009

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i think its truely sad to lose one of the worlds most famous singer it has turely touched my heart to see his family so sad micheal had a few ups and downs in his life but he always stood right back up again he was a brave man and so popular my love gose to all of his family and turely to his children al my love always emma stitt from northern ireland xxx
Comment by emma stitt on July 08 16:18

I truely hope my comment will be considered here and the comments for M.J are not all one sided.
I am offended by the publics lack of concern for the alleged victims of M.J and how they are feeling seeing him being hero worshiped.
I feel sorry for his own children too but also, it has to be acknowledged that at least now they have a chance of a more normal life.

Comment by Morven on July 09 20:04