'X Factor' presenter Dermot O'Leary has spoken about being the last person to introduce singer Michael Jackson at a press conference before his sudden death.
Speaking to the RTÉ Guide, the television presenter said: "It was crazy when he passed away because I was just finished answering questions about what it was like to meet him."
"And it shows you how much I know because when I met him and admittedly I wasn’t with him for long, he gave me a hug and I thought this guy is a picture of health and next thing you know he passes away."
Speaking about the experience of meeting Jackson, O'Leary said: "I felt quite honoured that I was the last man in the country to introduce him on stage, that’s certainly something to tell the grandkids about."
The presenter also said that he felt very sorry for the singer's children in the aftermath of his death.
He said: "I felt so sorry for his family and especially his kids. It’s the whole macabre carousel we are looking at every day in the media and you’re thinking, come on he’s got kids leave it alone now."
O'Leary also said in the interview: "You know when I think of it, I hugged and introduced James Brown about a month before he died, so maybe it’s me, don’t come anywhere near me - I’m the new Swine Flu!”
Read the full interview in next week's RTÉ Guide.
