For Princess Diana, only one person in the world truly understood what it was like to be a
hunted superstar icon.

Now The Mirror can reveal the extraordinary story of how their shared experience of ultimate
fame made them first friends and then confidantes.

By the time Diana was killed they were so close that Jackson spent thousands of pounds a
month on the phone chatting to and advising her. Which is why the shocking and
sudden nature of her death came as a terrible blow to the pop legend.

His eyes brimming with tears, Jackson admitted: "I had a concert on the day the news broke
and my doctor woke me up to tell me Diana was dead.

"I literally collapsed, I fainted. He had to give me smelling salts to revive me and I cancelled
my show because I simply could not perform. "I just broke down. I wept and wept for weeks afterwards."

Jackson's grief was made worse by the fact that he was also a friend of Dodi Fayed.
"They were a match made in heaven," he says. "I thought they were so beautiful together.

"It was lovely to see them like that. Diana was a wonderful person with such a good heart.
She went round the world as a philanthropist just like Mother Teresa. She proved that
she really, really cared about people and Children especially. The way that I do.

"She used to confide in me. She'd just call me on the phone and we would talk about everything that
was happening in her life. The press were hard on her in the same way they were hard on me
and she needed to talk to someone who knew exactly what she was going through.

"She felt hunted in the way I've felt hunted. Trapped, if you like. You can't talk about that
to your neighbour because how would they everunderstand?

"No normal person could possibly understand, could they? I've had thatattention since I was
a kid, whereas Diana had it suddenly thrust upon her at the age of 19.

"I've had it all my life so I had the experience to tell her how to handle it."

"I just said to her, 'Rise above it all'. I'd tell her how I would go on stage sometimes in the worst pain
- either emotionally, or physically with something like a toothache, and I would put whatever it was out of my
mind and perform.

"I'd say, 'Be strong and be determined and nobody can hurt you. Only you can hurt yourself - so be defiant'.
I think she appreciated it and got something from my words. I think I was able to comfort her.

"I adored Diana. We talked so many times, much more than people realised.

"When I heard about the paparazzi chasing her, I just thought how lucky

I was that it had never happened to me because I've been chased the same way so many times and
you always wonder.

"Diana's death was the saddest I've ever felt - it reminded me of when Kennedy died. It broke my heart so much, I just cried and cried."

Jackson has never met Princes William and Harry. But he says: "Diana desperately wanted me to meet her children and we talked
about it many times, but I never did get the chance.

"Mohamed talks very highly of the boys. He says they are wonderful and he had some good times on holiday with them and Diana.
It would be nice to meet them sometime."

Jackson met Dodi many times in Hollywood, where Mohamed Al Fayed's son made films.

He recalls: "He was wonderful, just wonderful. A really smart, charming guy. It was a terrible tragedy for Mohamed and my heart goes out to him and his family."

The friendship between Jackson and Fayed is a curious one, but understandable
when you consider the similarities. Both billionaires, both sneered at by the
establishment, both lone fighters against what they see as a hostile world.

Jackson says: "Mohamed has taken a lot of flak in this country, which is so unfair. He is one of the sweetest, kindest men you could ever know.

"The problem is that people judge people before they even know them. To me he is like a big Santa Claus. He loves giving, he's very wise and creative, talented and kind-hearted. Very giving.

"He has taught me a lot and I love learning from him."

Fayed treated Jackson to his first-ever soccer match last Saturday, watching his team Fulham in their battle for promotion from Division Two. Jackson clearly loved every minute as he was paraded to the fans and Watched the first half with his Fulham scarf wrapped around his neck.

"I knew nothing about soccer and I've never been to any sporting event, so it was a great experience for me.

"I'm a soccer fan now, definitely. I'm addicted. It was so exciting and passionate - the fans were like the people who come to my concerts. They were screaming and shouting and cheering their players on.

"I loved it. I wanted to jump up and start dancing because I'm used to performing on stage when I hear all that noise. The fans were great,

although they seemed pretty surprised to see me. I have no doubt that Fulham will be promoted, they seemed a really good team with a great spirit.

"I met all the players and they were so kind to me."

Jackson's legendary business brain sprang into action the moment I mentioned Manchester United.

"I don't know them, but I'd love to get involved with one of the big teams if it was right to do so. How much are they?"

I told him the asking price was around six hundred million.

"Dollars or pounds?"

Pounds. There was a long pause.

"That's interesting, very interesting."

I pointed out that it would be a perfect union since Manchester United are supposed to be the most famous name in the world after ... Michael Jackson.

"I'll have a think about that. It sounds intriguing. I'm astounded by how much I enjoyed
the soccer, that's for sure."

Jackson's career has been relatively quiet for the past couple of years, but he is planning a massive end to the century.

I have an album coming out for the Millennium which I'm half way through. It's going to be the best thing I've ever done," he says.

"I'm putting my heart and soul into it because I'm not sure if I'm gonna do another one after this..."

Sorry? Did I hear right? Was the King of Pop quitting? This was an astonishing little titbit.
Yes, I did hear right. He is quitting – making solo albums.
"This will be my last album, I think. I may do the odd movie soundtrack, but this will be
my last proper album.

"I want it to be something that touches the heart and emotions of the world. >From a child to older people, from the farmers of Ireland to the lady who scrubs toilets in Harlem.

"I mean I want to reach every demographic I can through the love and joy and simplicity of music."

He is also planning a sensational reunion with his brothers.

"We are doing an album together, it's legitimate and I'm going to do it.

Michael Jackson unwind I wondered? His answer was astonishing.

"Well, I've stopped being such a recluse now. My friend Elizabeth Taylor has got me out," he says.

"Every Thursday we go to the movies together. She is Godmother to my son Prince and we
get on so well.

"I said I could get Warner Brothers to put aside a studio just for us every week to watch films in private, but she forces me out. She's the only person who can get me out in public.

"We walk in, sit down, watch our film and walk out. And every time we leave the audience all stand up and applaud us. It's funny. The last one we saw was Patch Adams which we loved. It was so touching, it made me cry.

"It's a true story about a man who takes the time to make children happy.

That's what I'd like to be considered as.

"The Millennium is an appropriate time to change direction.

"I'd like to get more into movies. Mohamed and I are looking to set up a company and do
some films together. It's going to be great."

With that the two billionaires both roar with laughter at the mischief and mayhem they may be getting up to in Hollywood.

Michael Jackson is a curious cove, that's for sure. He's definitely odd.

Not quite the full ticket, the entire shopping trolley or even the complete picnic. But he's not the nutter I thought he was before I spoke to him.

He was happy to talk about any issue I raised, and shirked no questions I threw at him.

Most people I know have a pretty dim view of Jackson the man, while remaining massive fans of his music.

I came away from this encounter feeling I may have misjudged the man, that Michael Jackson is not such a wacko after all.