TEENAGERS who sang with Michael Jackson at the World Music Awards have said people overeacted to the pop star's truncated performance.

Around 20 pupils from Holy Family Catholic College, Shernhall Street, Walthamstow, were asked to sing with Mr Jackson on-stage while he sang We Are The World at the glitzy award ceremony in Earls Court.

But the pop star got cold feet and fellow singer Beyonc Knowles, who was going to present him with an award, was left waiting for 20 minutes.

In the end, Michael Jackson managed to sing a couple lines from the song he wrote and produced with Lionel Richie.

It is alleged he was booed by fans.

However, the teenagers singing with him thought it was a dream come true and said there had been an over-reaction to his performance.

Portuia Douglas, 16, said: "The press got the wrong end of the stick. There wasn't any booing. There was booing for other artists because the crowd wanted to see Michael perform.

"I think everybody wanted to be in our shoes because it is a once in a life time opportunity to perform with Michael Jackson.

"I am a massive fan of his and when I knew I was going to sing with him I phoned everyone in my phone book. I was so excited I couldn't sleep."

Joesph Perry,16, said: "It was the first time Michael Jackson had performed in a while and perhaps people were expecting Thriller and I think they were surprised when he sang only four lines of the song.

"But It was really amazing singing with him. We were stuck in a room for ten hours and we were saying Where's Michael?' but when we were on stage it just clicked.

"When we finished he said Thank you guys' and I even touched him.

"I was thrilled that our performance was shown round the world and my family in India saw me."

He added that one of the teachers, who knew an event organisers, was asked if she knew any teenagers who wanted to sing with Michael Jackson. "Most people in my class weren't that bothered but, to me, it was a dream come true," said Joseph.