Sir Paul McCartney Pays Tribute To 'Gentle Soul' Michael Jackson

Sir Paul McCartney has paid tribute to Michael Jackson, describing his death as “sad and shocking”.

The former Beatle said he felt “privileged to have hung out and worked” with Jackson.

“He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul," said in a statement on his official website.

"His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones."

He added: “I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family and to his countless fans all around the world."

Sir Paul and Jackson became friends after they dueted on the 1982 single 'The Girl Is Mine'.

But their relationship was damaged in 1985 when Jackson trumped a joint bid by Sir Paul and John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, to buy the rights to over 200 Beatles songs.

Jackson sold half of the song catalogue to Sony in 1995, but is understood to have still earned £40million a year from his remaining share.

It was reported in January that Jackson wanted to leave Sir Paul his share of the songs in his will.

The singer is said to have hoped the gesture would repair his friendship with the former Beatle.

Sir Paul has joined a growing list of musicians and celebrities who have paid their respects to Jackson, who died yesterday of a suspected heart attack.

The singer, known around the world as the King of Pop, was 50.

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