In an interview with my good mate Victoria Newton, the ‘Queen of Pop’ has made an emotional tribute to the ‘King of Pop’ in today’s Sun newspaper…

Speaking exclusively Madonna said: “I am so terribly sad about Michael Jackson’s death. I don’t know what artist wasn’t inspired by him.”

She added: “To be able to do what he did at such an early age was unearthly, everybody grew up in awe of him.”

Madge revealed that she hoped to work with Michael on his planned O2 tour, humbly adding, “I don’t know what we could have done together, I could have carried his bags for him maybe.” — (No need to over-egg the pudding Madonna darling, you wouldn’t be where you are today without that superstar-sized ego!)

The 50-year-old star, who’s success in the 80s paralleled Jackson’s, is dedicating her own upcoming concert to Michael.

She’ll interrupt her show at the O2 Arena to perform a medley of Jacko hits and appear in the finale wearing white Gloves – as a nod to his style.

Madonna added that Mike was a bundle of contradictions. She said, “He was a real paradox, one of the world’s greatest performers and obviously very confident on stage, but in real life he was very shy and you really felt for him.”

RIP Michael. You will be missed.