I’m not a big Michael Jackson fan – I didn’t even attempt to get tickets for his planned comeback gigs at London’s o2 Arena; I don’t actually even own a single Jackson album. So why, more than 12 hours after hearing of his death, am I still feeling so shocked? It’s every bit as surreal as Jackon’s later life.

I do not buy into this mass hysteria that’s sweeping some parts of the world at the moment. I didn’t know the man and so I won’t claim to be swamped by some kind of personal loss, and anyone doing so should really spare a thought for the family he is leaving behind – they’re the only ones who have the right to be truly devastated and my thoughts are with them.

And yet, I also don’t buy into this theory of ‘Oh well, good riddance, he was weird’ that seems to be the recurring theme for many people my age, even some a little older. The controversies that plagued his later life have clearly tarnished his reputation but let’s just remember here – he never actually did a lot wrong. Sure, he may have appeared a little odd to you and I. The chap had a funfair in his back garden – you can’t deny that’s a little shy of normal. But what’s wrong with not normal? The guy was a child star and lived with fame for almost all of the 50 year of his life, that’s bound to take effect and anyone who is prepared to judge him solely on that is more than a bit shallow.

I hear quotes from the news that the reason he planned to stage his comeback in the UK rather than America, where he arguably was even bigger, was because many Americans ‘hadn’t forgiven him’ for the child molestation charges levied at him over the last 10-15 years. What exactly are they not forgiving him for? Let us not forget, when these actually came to trial in 2003, an independent jury found him not guilty of ALL TEN charges… Some people might scoff ‘Well, he was always going to get off…’ Well, how does that work? Sure, his public profile and remaining wealth may have paid for some very expensive representation – but you can’t buy a jury. For people to still hold that kind of thing against him in light of the fact that he was CLEARED are clearly just uncomfortable with people not being what they perceive to be normal. It’s easy to point fingers as the so called strange guy who lives in the big house.

I’m just glad that the largest majority of people are somewhere between the above two schools of thought. Hardly devastated – they’d never known him personally; and yet, still very shocked and a little saddened. I also don’t buy this argument that his death shouldn’t be recognized on this scale solely because he’s a celebrity, when children are dying the world over. Are they forgetting that WE made Michael Jackson? The world bought a combined total of 750 Million of his albums, attended gigs and got knows what else – we helped create the superstar, so it’s madness to pour scorn on him for having the nerve to die of a heart attack.

Instead the world should just agree that Michael Jackson was the biggest entertainer of his generation. Maybe not the best and biggest singer, maybe not the best speaker, dancer, whatever – but combining them all, as an entertainer, he was and is unrivalled. Sure, before him people will see John Lennon and Elvis as bigger and they’ve every right to – but for people who grew up with him, Jackson was the number one. His name and likeness was etched into the worldwide consciousness. Everyone has heard of Michael Jackson – we all like a Michael Jackson song, we’ve all seen the thriller video. Like him or not, he was one of the most famous people on the planet.

So again – my shock isn’t personal. There is no way it can be. But without a doubt a superstar is no more. Everyone of a certain age will know what they were doing when they found out Michael Jackson had died – guaranteed. Thankfully, his music will live beyond each and every one of us. The rest of the world carries on now, but let’s hope he can find a bit of peace now.

IF Jeff Wayne and his War of the Worlds cast and crew were to top the ‘Alive on Stage’ experience they gave me last year, they were going to have to do something pretty special at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena. Hardly surprisingly, they did.

People often mention that once seen is enough with this type of thing, and I admit I did have one or two small reservations about going for a second time but, littered with minor adaptations and improvements throughout, the 30th Anniversary Tour show of his original musical was a thundering success.

To explain the WOTW experience to someone not aware of the musical version isn’t easy – you struggle to define it as a concert, stage play or something in between – quite simply there’s something for everyone. The live band and accompanying orchestra were again stunning whilst the on screen ensemble and pyrotechnics just add to the excitement.

But what pressure they must feel to perform is felt twofold by the ‘Cast of Players’ – once again Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson reprise their original roles to great effect and are an integral part of the evening… my eyes were on who I considered to be the star of last year’s show – Alexis James (above) playing the part of the Artilleryman. Could he equal his impressive performance? Hardly – he blew it out of the water.

Quite how the little-known performer hasn’t been snapped up for something more mainstream is beyond me, and it’s clear he was popular among the sell-out 10,000 crowd in Birmingham. He performs the part originally played by David Essex superbly and excellently applies an oddly suitable touch of insanity to it as he nears maniacal - for me the strongest element of the whole performance.

Australian pop sensation Shannon Noll took on the part of the Parson and executed it with some real power and belief – ex-Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison didn’t quite seem at home as his wife, Beth, but one suspects her previous as an FHM favourite may have helped sell a few more tickets.

Mentioned before were the slight additions – the CGI that brings back to life narrator Richard Burton have somehow been improved upon year on year – even the Martian fighting machine took on a touch more realism. The entire production just screams extravagance – the £15 glossy event programme is one of the most professionally produced I’ve ever seen whilst the chance to take home a three-disc CD recording of that very night’s performance at £20 was taken up by thousands.

One hopes the above isn’t a sign of Jeff Wayne cashing in before he bows out – the hugely successful 30th Anniversary Tour is certainly a high-point at which to go out but if the continuous improvements made to this spectacle are anything to go by, it’s obvious the maestro enjoys the challenge. Just as well, I’m looking forward to next year’s tour, now!

Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds continues its 30th Anniversary Tour with a weekend of sell-out show’s at London’s o2 Arena before ventures overseas to Germany and Holland.

PICS: (c) Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds 2009 – Event Live UK, 2009. All rights reserved. Images reproduced for illustrative purposes only.

Just my luck, really. After being taught a harsh lesson about covering every spot with suncream because of the sun here back on day one, I’ve been more than thorough with my ‘creaming up.’

Imagine my delight, then, when - just a few days from our return home - we spend the day under the sun at the beach, and almost my entire upper right side goes a very aggressive shade of bright red. ‘Oooh you’ve burned your ‘ed’, says my Choppy. I shall not repeat to you all what I was forced to inform her re: sunburn! I will be nice, but let’s just say, she’s covering up a bit now. Bless her.

Anyway, I feel the need to fight my corner this evening. Whilst the lady went off to the sea to have a splash, I was left in charge of the video camera. Zoomed into the hilt and focusing on her, I failed to see walking straight across the view of my eyes and indeed the camera, two pairs of breasts enjoying the sunlight. Whoops. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

This came after I zoomed into take a picture of a ferry crossing the sea, and failed to notice a topless lady sunbathing right in front of me. The said photo has been deleted now, thankfully. I’m just glad her husband didn’t see, otherwise I’d be sporting more than a red head!

Hey ladies and gents at home.

Well, it has been lovely again today, bit murky over the sea but a lovely breeze and gorgeous sun. We have both burned today in a number of places, mine not so lovely to be honest… Bit rude!

But we had a great day relaxing at the beach and I even had a swim in the sea, while Matty tried to record me and ended up recording some topless sunbathing Spanish ladies. An accident so he says…  [There were boobies! - Matt] [Lots of boobies, Matt was in his element - Charlotte]

This could be my last bloggy before we come back on Monday evening (if we reach the airport with the ridiculously short transfer time we have been given…). It’s been an amazing holiday and I hope that I can come back to Lanzarote at some point, partly to see Clive the camel again!! But more because it is such a fantastic place to visit! You should all come at some point!

Love you all lots (except Scott Jones) and see you very soon

xXx

Wowsers, what a fantastic opportunity we had today, to say we are tired is doing it a complete injustice. I’ve never felt weight on me like when they put the pack on me, and then they tied a 8 kilo weight belt around my waist? Have they not seen my lack of gym attendance… Don’t worry, I would have sunk anyway. *Sunk or sank? Who knows!*

The pictures, which you will all see when we get back are incredible and after the inital worries, because let’s be honest, it isn’t natural to be sinking and under 3 or 4 metres of water for 40 minutes, the experience was one that I would recommend anyone and everyone tries at least once! To be lay on the seabed with fish swimming towards you as if they are saying “Hey!” is fantastic. And I quickly got over my very immature behaviour of calling each one Bob and laughing when I saw them all. Now, I have sunburn peeling off my head and salt everywhere in my hair but I loved today and along with the camel ride and the tour of Timanfaya, can say I am doing some of the most fantastic things on my holly-day. Now let’s hope we can sleep for about a week until we come back

Love you all lots (except Christina) xXx