Fans around the world have been flocking to the premiere of 'Michael Jackson’s This Is It’, the commemorative film based on footage of rehearsals for an ambitious series of concerts.
London, which screened the film at the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square at 1am last night, was one of 17 cities across the world that hosted a simultaneous premiere of 'This Is It', which gives viewers a taste of the spectacular show Jackson had planned.
Jackson died in June aged 50, weeks before he was due to start a 50-date residency at the O2 in London.
PA reports that rapper Chipmunk described the film as ‘absolutely amazing’ while former Blue star Duncan James, who hosted a pre-premiere show in Leicester Square, said the footage showed that Jackson had been ready to perform live for the first time in years and was in full control of the show's preparations.
Other fans present at the screening described seeing Jackson perform as ‘amazing’ and beautiful’.
The Los Angeles premiere of the film was an emotional event attended by members of the performer's family as well as the film's director Kenny Ortega and stars including Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez.
