Thriller star in tribute to King of Pop

Tributes to the King of Pop have been led by a teenager from Leicester currently starring in a West End musical about Michael Jackson's life.

Kieran Alleyne, who plays the role of Michael during his years with the Jackson Five in Thriller! Live, described his idol as "legendary", stating the news of his death had been "difficult to believe".

Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Centre, in Los Angeles, America, after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest at his home on Thursday afternoon.

News of his death sent shockwaves around the world and left millions of fans in a state of disbelief that their musical hero had died.

Speaking ahead of last night's performance at the London's Lyric Theatre – the first to take place since Jackson's death – 14-year-old Kieran, from Eyres Monsell, said: "He is a legend, it is a simple as that and right now there is no one I would rather play.
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"I'm sure it is going to be a very emotional night and a lot of people will be crying.

"I know it is going to be hard for the cast and crew."

He added that despite the many low points that have dogged Jackson throughout his career, he believed the iconic singer would be revered for his talent not rebuked for his life off stage.

"Michael will always be remembered for his music and the message of peace that he had for the world," he said.

"In 50 years time, no-one will remember the allegations made against him – only his music will live on."

Life-long fan Anand Bhatt, principal of Leicester-based Bollywood dance school Desi Masti, added his tributes to a man he credited with shaping his career path.

The 29-year-old, who saw Jackson perform live in 1992 and 1997 at Wembley Stadium and visited his Neverland Valley Ranch, in California, in 2003, said: "When I turned on the TV on Thursday I felt stunned. It felt very surreal more than anything.

"It is hard to comprehend that someone so iconic is there no more.

"He was the reason why I started dancing, if it was not for him I would not be where I am.

"Even though I never met him, to have lost someone that helped define my career path is actually very sad."

Anand and Desi Masti said a tribute show at Curve, in Leicester to mark the singer's 51st birthday at the end of August would still go ahead, along with an attempt to break the world record for the largest choreographed Thriller dance.

Mr Bhatt hopes it will attract more than 1,300 people.

The Leicester Mercury website has been also flooded with tributes.

Morag Clarke, from Leicester, wrote: "I went to see the Jackson Five when they came to De Montfort Hall in 1979 and they were fantastic – he will be missed."

Plavi Mistry, also from Leicester wrote: "A very tragic loss. He is a legend and will be missed by so many."

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