King Of Pop Michael Jackson

Stepping through the red curtains at the O2 arena in London to the hysterical screams of his loyal fans, the King of Pop almost seemed like his old self once more.

There were broad smiles, sparkling silver and jewels adorning his black jacket, and waves and peace signs for his army of followers.

There was no mask over the face, no trace of the supposed "flesh-eating bug" and no sign of the Michael Jackson who looked frail while shuffling into court in his pyjamas during his child abuse trial and deluded as he danced on a car.

His appearance to announce 10 dates at the O2 in the summer was a day that some thought would never come.

Given his past behaviour, there was a suspicion that he might fly into London, feel a bit funny and get straight back on the next plane home.

Or that if he did arrive at the O2 announcement at all, that he would hover in the background for 20 seconds, mumble something incoherent and then disappear again.

In the end, his appearance lasted less than five minutes, and his speech was filled with hesitant pauses.

But that can be put down to the fact that he was too busy grinning as he surveyed his fans, listening to their screams of support and making various gestures in response.

"I love you. I really do," he told them. "You have to know that. I love you so much. Really. From the bottom of my heart."

It was a far cry from a two-hour stage show, but it was a start.

He did not break into song, but he looked fit enough to persuade most fans to want to part with their cash.

There may have been fewer fans queuing up here than there would have been 10 years ago, but the hardcore are still as fervent as ever.

For them, seeing the King of Pop is a quasi-religious experience, and they went into rapture when he appeared.