Jackson keeps wedding guests waiting

Jackson broke his foot before arriving in Britain

LONDON, England -- Wedding guests were kept waiting when pop superstar Michael Jackson was delayed fulfilling a commitment to be a friend's best man.

So late was Jackson that the reception was held before the wedding ceremony.

"I'm sorry everyone but there is going to be a delay," bridegroom Uri Geller told his guests. "Michael has had to get a doctor to look at his fractured foot."

The King of Pop kept the guests waiting up to two hours on Wednesday as they gathered in Sonning, Berkshire.

The singer had agreed to be best man at a ceremony in which his friend and psychic spoon-bender Geller renewed his marriage vows with his wife Hanna.

"Michael smiled and waved to everyone. He was quite late so it was the first wedding I'd been to where the reception took place before the marriage ceremony," said guest Eddie Clein.

Among more than 100 guests was broadcaster Sir David Frost, Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics, former F1 racing car world champion Nigel Mansell and singer Patti Boulaye.

Geller, who revealed Jackson performed the traditional best man's task of handing the groom the wedding ring, said: "It was great. Michael was incredible because he came here with two broken bones in his foot.

"He was pleasant, stopped for autographs for my friends and their children."

'Overwhelmed and humbled'

Jackson's broken foot, which he damaged at his home in the U.S., had delayed his arrival the previous night at the Oxford University's debating society by three hours.

He eventually gave a speech about child welfare during which he spoke emotionally about his own childhood.

The 42-year-old has been hobbling around on crutches during his visit to Britain this week.

Following the ceremony, he made a brief appearance at an extravaganza held in his honour by his British fan club.

Devotees of the pop legend flocked to London's Hammersmith Apollo for the 10th annual Michael Jackson Day.

A near sell-out crowd -- with proceeds going to Jackson's Heal the Kids Foundation -- also had to wait for hours to see their hero take to the stage for just a few minutes.

When he finally hobbled on, to loud cheers, Jackson told the fans he was overwhelmed by their warm welcome.

He told the fans: "I am overwhelmed and humbled by the incredible entertainment. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

He said he is working on a new album which would be ready in two months, adding: "I love you all from the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Michael Jackson
Heal the World Foundation
Uri Geller
The Oxford Union

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