Evans remembers Jackson Brits show

Chris Evans has said that the late Michael Jackson "led by example" backstage ahead of his show at the 1996 Brit Awards.

Jackson's infamous performance of 'Earth Song' at the ceremony saw him bathed in white light and embraced by religious figures, prompting an on-stage protest from Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker.

Writing on his BBC Radio 2 blog, Evans said: "What I saw was not some goofball with a hanky tied around his mouth, but a guy in jeans and a green t-shirt totally at ease with himself and all those around him, busy putting the kids through their paces of a complicated dance routine.

"He led by example and made them gasp open mouthed with the way he moved whenever he showed them how to do something, laughing and joking with them to get his point across like all the best teachers.

"Was this the same guy who had arrived moments earlier amidst all the usual madness? Not for a second. There was definitely a game being played here, and he was the one in the driving seat."

He added: "I can't help feeling he deserves all the homages and tributes which no doubt will be played on radio and television stations across the world for the next week or so."