The 50-year-old self-styled 'King of Pop', who was due to embark on a huge comeback tour with 50 dates at London's O2 Arena, died in UCLA hospital on Wednesday night.

Fans living locally spoke of their devastation at the news.

Wave 105 radio presenter and News columnist Rick Jackson said: 'I was on the air at the time the news started to come through, I just couldn't believe it. His legacy is up there with John Lennon and Elvis. He is a massive star.'

Kevin Capon, 30, from Southsea, was due to see Jacko perform live at O2 Arena on his birthday in January next year.

He said: 'I grew up listening to him. My dad would always play his songs in the car and I've still got a tape with Bad on one side and Thriller on the other. I called my dad earlier and he was gutted.'

Niki Taylor, 23, from Buckland, cried when she heard the news.

'I love Michael Jackson and I feel gutted I never got to see him perform. I was still trying to get a ticket for his tour,' she said.

Miss Taylor, who had just left HMV, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, added: 'I went out and bought the only album I didn't have, Dangerous. I also wanted to get the History DVD with his videos on but they have sold out already.'

Her friend Laura Simmons, 27, added: 'It is very sad. I think all the surgery he had done might have caused him all the health problems.'

Andrew Dandy, 39, was working nights at Portsmouth Naval base when the news filtered through.

'It is unbelievable. He was a genius,' he said.

Cathy Crossling, 46, from Lee-on-the-Solent, said: 'I'm absolutely devastated, I'd paid £200 for tickets to go see him in London.

'I've got all his albums.

'He was so talented, it's such a loss.'

Laura Gill, 23, from Southsea, said: 'I was really surprised, he was only 50.

'My sister is a big fan she's in America at the moment and she's really upset.'