Malcolm Beavis, 66, travelled the world in his role of business training manager coming across such superstars as Dolly Parton and Janet Jackson on his travels.

However, the most unforgettable meeting was with the latter's megastar brother, Michael, in Sin City's Palace Hotel, near Johannesburg, around 11 years ago.

Jackson collapsed and died, aged 50, last week after suffering a cardiac arrest at his rented Beverley Hills home.

Mr Beavis, who admits to being a Bob Dylan and Dire Straits fan, said: "It came about when two of my party were asked if they would mind giving up their rooms for Jackson and his entourage who wanted to take over a whole floor. They agreed and, the next thing we knew, the star had asked to meet us to say 'thankyou'."

The next evening Jackson, along with four "suited and booted" minders, "popped" down to say "hello".

Mr Beavis, of Lancaster Way, Scalby, went on: "The first thing that struck me was how tall he was. I'm 6ft and he was certainly taller than me. Michael was wearing a purple, velvet jacket with a dark, grey scarf over his mouth and sunglasses. He was lovely – very, softly spoken and very gracious.

"He told us he was on vacation in Sin City with his two children because he felt safe there. I was also struck by just how naive he was. He didn't even know what the currency was in South Africa."

Mr Beavis and his friends chatted with the superstar – whose skin colour he described as "grey" – for around 15 minutes with one particular moment standing out.

"I had read on the plane that Michael had been ill and so I asked him how he was," Mr Beavis said. "He then made this lovely, elaborate gesture – a bit like when people took their hat off or curtseyed – and put his hand to his check, saying, 'I got toothache'."

Mr Beavis briefly saw Jackson once more during his stay.

"I was shopping when he suddenly swept into a small, Africana store in the hotel lobby with the same four minders," Mr Beavis said. "The manager quickly shut up and Jackson just went around pointing at various goods which one of his group then bought.

"I remember he bought a 12-18inch high pile of small T-shirts which must have been for his children."

He added: "I was never really a fan of his music but I did like him as a person and just felt he was a little boy, living in a man's world – very naive and very isolated. I felt sorry for the troubles he had later in life and genuinely believed he got a raw deal."

* Meanwhile, Jackson's Scarborough fans have the chance to enjoy a special tribute during this summer's Magic of Motown show at The Futurist.

It will include a special extended selection of the superstar's hits including I Want You Back, ABC, I'll Be There and Blame it on the Boogie.

Producer Michael Taylor said: "The Magic of Motown is the biggest production of its kind on tour. It will provide a fitting tribute to a true, singing legend."