Michael Jackson: The O2 announcement

Earlier today Michael Jackson announced both his live comeback and "curtain call" at the O2 Arena in London. The 50-year-old singer confirmed rumours that he would be playing ten live shows at the venue in July and spoke to a throng of die-hard Jacko followers. For those who missed out on the occasion, here's our blow-by-blow account of the afternoon's events.

16.25 The press are allowed into the concourse just outside the O2 Arena.

16.26 The public, who have been waiting here for hours, start booing and heckling the media for writing nasty things about Michael.

16.30 On the stage is a single microphone; draped behind is a red curtain. It's small, understated and not very glamorous. There's a large screen behind the stage with "King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, This Is It" written on it.

16.35 Bland R&B beats are being pumped out of the speakers.

16.40 Spotted! Eoghan Quigg T-shirts and merchandise at the side of the stage. It somewhat detracts from the glamour of the occasion.

16.45 The audience is mainly made up of middle-aged women, but there are also a few blokey types and a smattering of youths in hoodies.

16.46 Chants of "We love you Michael! We love you Michael!" start up.

16.51 A man comes on to sound-check the microphone. He's definitely not Michael Jackson, but everyone starts screaming anyway.

17.00 Everyone's starting to get a little impatient. Suggestions as to how Jacko might enter the stage include being fired through the O2 logo and bursting out of a giant Girls Aloud Kit-Kat ad that's at the side of the arena.

17.05 Less dedicated fans appear to have given up waiting and are amusing themselves with tiresome Bo' Selecta! Jacko impressions. "Cha-mone!", "Hee-hee" etc.

17.10 Jacko is well over an hour late now and the seats on the top floor of the American Bar & Grill are starting to look like the best in the house. A JLS foam finger from the X Factor merch stall is also becoming tempting.

17:28 Dermot O'Leary walks onstage. Yes, that's right, Dermot-flipping-O'Leary. It's all very strange, but at least things are warming up now. Camera phones are being flashed by nearly everyone.

17.30 Dermot tells us that the "worst kept secret in the world" is about to be revealed, but delays us further by playing a three-minute Jacko teaser tape.

17.35 "The wait is over, the time has come, the King Of Pop returns!" A wave of screaming erupts as the video shows a montage of Jacko live clips.

17.36 We're treated to bursts of 'Thriller', 'Dirty Diana', 'Beat It', 'Man In The Mirror' and 'Billie Jean'. Sadly for Simon Cowell and Eoghan Quigg, there's no 'Ben'.

17.38 He's here! He's here! We see a clip of Jacko arriving on a golf cart and then a couple of minutes later he wanders onto the stage and Dermot gives him a big hug.

17.39 After blowing some kisses, pulling some poses and thanking the crowd, Jacko tells us that "This is it!". He repeats the phrase several times.

17.40 Jacko reveals that these shows will be his "curtain call" and the screaming crowd go quiet. A few boos are heard.

17.41 "I love you all. I really, really do. From the bottom of my heart," says the singer. He then departs after just three minutes onstage.

17.42 Dermot thanks the crowds for coming and starts reeling off website details and phone numbers to call for pre-sale tickets. It suddenly feels like an episode of The X Factor.

What did you think of Jackson's appearance? Would you pay £75 to see him perform? Leave your messages and thoughts in the usual place below.