Michael Jackson: The Enigma That Was Wacko Jacko

Michael Jackson's often eccentric behaviour saw him dubbed Wacko Jacko by the tabloid press.

Over the years, his image changed from cute child star to that of a secretive singer who was the target of ridicule and devotion in equal measure.

Wild stories about his personal life began to circulate; that he slept in an oxygen tent; he had adopted a chimp called Bubbles; he had undergone plastic surgery and skin bleaching.

Soon he retreated to his Neverland ranch, complete with its own zoo and funfair.

His friend Uri Geller told Sky News: "Michael Jackson as a man was a really down-to-earth human being, a nice person, courteous, humble, generous, giving, loving, amazing, extraordinary, unique.

"There are no words to describe who 'Michael Jackson' was, but the simplicity I picked up in him and what I felt and saw generated out of him the love.

"The eccentricity of Michael Jackson is an enigma.

"No one will really know the truth, what was etched and burnt into his psyche in his heart, what he really wanted. Nobody really knew Michael Jackson but Michael Jackson.

"I had my ups and downs with Michael. I had rows with Michael. I think I was one of the very few people who dared to shout at him when I thought he was doing the wrong things."

Former PR representative and friend of Jackson Jonathan Morrish said: "I saw him when he was last in London, which was for the World Music Awards, and he was his usual, lovely gentlemanly self.

"You don't get to the top of the tree like he did without being incredibly strong - mentally and physically. He survived over many generations of music lovers."

Phil Sutcliffe, from Mojo Magazine said: "He led a life that was heading for tragedy.

"Down the years he has always been a fragile person while being an athletic marvel as a dancer. That's what made him a complete entertainer. And yet he was a stick of a man.

"He kind of messed about with himself over the years. There's been such emotional confusion in his life, you can see how that might bring him down into serious illness."

Friend and actor Joe Pesci said: "He was a fun kid and did so much. He always reinvented himself time and time again.

"He was excited about getting back to the stage. He was downhearted for a while and I think he finally got himself up."