Shaheen pleased to sing at Jacko memorial

LONDON, July 8 (UPI) -- Shaheen Jafargholi, a 12-year-old past finalist on "Britain's Got Talent," said he was honored to sing at Michael Jackson's public memorial service.

The Welsh singer had been slated to perform with Jackson at the O2 arena in London next week.

Jackson was preparing for a 50-date O2 residency billed as his comeback when he suffered cardiac arrest and died at the age of 50 last month. Jafargholi who was the only artist from the United Kingdom to perform at Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles Tuesday, sang the Jackson Five hit "Who's Lovin' You."

The boy had previously performed the song on "Talent" and the show's subsequent live tour.

"I couldn't believe it," Jafargholi told The Times of London about how Jackson's family contacted him last Friday and asked him to participate in the star-studded, televised memorial service.

"Michael Jackson has always been my hero and apparently he had seen my audition tape for the 'Thriller Live' tour in which I played the younger Michael Jackson. It had really impressed him," Jafargholi said. "It's an absolute dream come true. I can't believe I am among my idols, like Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie. It's been amazing hearing my name being shouted, and to be flying the flag for Swansea. It's out of this world and will only sink in when I get home."

The boy went on to describe Jackson's death as "a complete shock."

"It devastated me, so performing at the service is a silver lining," he said. "He inspired me hugely and especially in the last two years has been a major part of my life with 'Thriller Live' and 'Britain's Got Talent.' It was really hard to sing the Jackson 5 song, 'Who's Loving You,' on the 'Britain's Got Talent' tour after Michael Jackson died. It was very emotional."