Michael was supposed to perform in the same venue as me a week later, all I could think about in that moment was I had abandoned him, that we had abandoned him, that we had allowed this magnificent creature who once set the world on fire to somehow slip through the cracks,' she said.

'While he was trying to build a family and rebuild his career, we were all busy passing judgment, most of us had turned our backs on him. Sometimes, we have to lose things before we can truly appreciate them... There will never be anyone like him ever again, he was a king. Long live the king,' she added.

The sombre note to the award ceremony was followed by a musical tribute to the late star.

A montage of his music videos, including 'Thriller' and 'Bad', were played on the big screen, while performers dressed like Jackson danced in his signature style on the stage in front.

They were joined by Jackson's sister Janet who came out to perform her part of the song 'Scream', which she had released as a duet with Michael in 1995.