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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Jackson delay 'not due to health' | Jackson delay 'not due to health' |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Michael Jackson's concert promoter has denied reports that the star delayed the first four nights of his UK tour because he has skin cancer. | Michael Jackson's concert promoter has denied reports that the star delayed the first four nights of his UK tour because he has skin cancer. |
| AEG Live president Randy Phillips said the rescheduling had "absolutely nothing" to do with the star's health. | AEG Live president Randy Phillips said the rescheduling had "absolutely nothing" to do with the star's health. |
| He added: "I would trade my body for his tomorrow. He's in fantastic shape." | He added: "I would trade my body for his tomorrow. He's in fantastic shape." |
| In an email to fans, Ticketmaster and AEG Live said the dates were moved so all fans could "get the same quality in staging and level of entertainment." | In an email to fans, Ticketmaster and AEG Live said the dates were moved so all fans could "get the same quality in staging and level of entertainment." |
| 'Life-long fan' | 'Life-long fan' |
| The first show of Jackson's 50-date residency at London's O2 Arena on 8 July, has been pushed back by five nights. | The first show of Jackson's 50-date residency at London's O2 Arena on 8 July, has been pushed back by five nights. |
| Three other July dates will not take place until March 2010. | Three other July dates will not take place until March 2010. |
| I am a lifelong fan, this is the straw that could break the camel's back Theod Simon, Los Angeles More of your comments | I am a lifelong fan, this is the straw that could break the camel's back Theod Simon, Los Angeles More of your comments |
| Mr Phillips said the decision had been a "tough" one to make, but stressed that anybody who could not make the rescheduled dates would receive a full refund. | Mr Phillips said the decision had been a "tough" one to make, but stressed that anybody who could not make the rescheduled dates would receive a full refund. |
| He dismissed health fears about the 50-year-old singer, saying he was a "magnet" for fabricated stories. "He's not dying of skin cancer," he added, in reference to several recent tabloid stories. | He dismissed health fears about the 50-year-old singer, saying he was a "magnet" for fabricated stories. "He's not dying of skin cancer," he added, in reference to several recent tabloid stories. |
| Philips said there were no plans to delay further dates, although he conceded that, "if Michael were to get ill, that's possible". | Philips said there were no plans to delay further dates, although he conceded that, "if Michael were to get ill, that's possible". |
| There has been a mixed response from fans. | There has been a mixed response from fans. |
| Theod Simon from Los Angeles told the BBC he had booked flights from the US and time off work to see his idol. | Theod Simon from Los Angeles told the BBC he had booked flights from the US and time off work to see his idol. |
| "I cannot believe they would do this. I am a lifelong fan, this is the straw that could break the camel's back." | "I cannot believe they would do this. I am a lifelong fan, this is the straw that could break the camel's back." |
| Natalie from London said: "To say I am devastated is an understatement." | |
| However, not everyone is disappointed. | |
| "I don't care if the great Michael Jackson postpones his tour to 2020, he is king," John from Canada said. | |
| Meanwhile Kelly from Mitcham told the BBC: "I'm happy with the date change, it's closer to my birthday." | |
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| Fans cheered as Michael Jackson announced his UK concert dates in March | Fans cheered as Michael Jackson announced his UK concert dates in March |
| Jackson's creative collaborator Kenny Ortega said the original schedule would have meant they only had one night to rehearse in the O2 before kicking off the 50 dates. | Jackson's creative collaborator Kenny Ortega said the original schedule would have meant they only had one night to rehearse in the O2 before kicking off the 50 dates. |
| "It just wasn't practical for safety reasons and professional reasons," he said. | "It just wasn't practical for safety reasons and professional reasons," he said. |
| "These choices were made purely based on the practical needs and the responsible needs of putting up a first class production. | "These choices were made purely based on the practical needs and the responsible needs of putting up a first class production. |
| "Physically and mentally we're having a blast. We're having a great time." | "Physically and mentally we're having a blast. We're having a great time." |
| Mr Ortega promised "the concert of a lifetime" and said: "We have all been inspired to really raise the bar on our thinking." | Mr Ortega promised "the concert of a lifetime" and said: "We have all been inspired to really raise the bar on our thinking." |
| In March, tickets for Jackson's 50-date residency at the O2 completely sold out. | In March, tickets for Jackson's 50-date residency at the O2 completely sold out. |
| Hundreds of fans queued at the venue as tickets went on sale to the public and over a quarter of a million people queued online. | Hundreds of fans queued at the venue as tickets went on sale to the public and over a quarter of a million people queued online. |
| Around 750,000 fans have bought tickets to see the veteran pop star. | Around 750,000 fans have bought tickets to see the veteran pop star. |