KEY POINTS:
It was billed as a comeback - but Michael Jackson's first British stage appearance in nine years fell flat.
He had been set to recreate his famous graveyard Thriller video at the World Music Awards, but instead he joined a group of youngsters on stage to sing only a few lines of We Are The World.
During the fleeting performance, his voice appeared to crack and falter on the high notes. Jackson's performance finished when the musical accompaniment disappeared - it was not known whether this was intentional or not. Thriller, was performed by Chris Brown.
Meanwhile, British warbler James Blunt scooped two gongs at the World Music Awards - for World's Best New Artist and Best-Selling British Artist.
Madonna was named the World's Best Pop Artist, beating nominees Robbie Williams and Justin Timberlake at the show, hosted by actress and party animal Lindsay Lohan, 20. Nickelback beat Coldplay and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to win World's Best Rock Group.
