Michael Jackson Promoter: 'World Still Needs To See O2 Arena Shows'

Randy Philips, who was responsible for Michael Jackson’s comeback gigs, has said he hopes to stage a tribute to the star.

Philips said he wanted people to see the production that would have been used for Jackson’s shows at London’s O2 Arena.

“At some point the world needs to see this production,” he told Sky News.

“And I would imagine if we could do it, it would be done as a tribute with the family, with the brothers performing and some of the sisters – stuff like that.”

Jackson, who died last Thursday, was due to begin the first of 50 concerts on July 13.

Today, AEG Live announced that fans could either claim a full refund for their tickets or opt to receive them as a souvenir.

But in his first interview since Jackson’s death, Philips said he was optimistic that a tribute event could be held in place of the concerts.

“The world needs to see this production and it’s done, we have it, we have it in a vault, the property content, we have the sets, the costumes,” he said.

“It would have been, which is the tragedy here, one of the most amazing arena shows ever.

“At some point we’d like the world to see that. We’re discussing that with the family and obviously the sooner the better.”

Still photographs of Jackson rehearsing were released today. The images show the singer performing on an audacious stage set.

The residency would have been Jackson's first full concert tour since the late 90s.

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