The record producer behind Michael Jackson’s biggest hits has spoken of his shock at the singer’s premature death.

The record producer behind Michael Jackson’s biggest hits has spoken of his shock at the singer’s premature death.

Quincy Jones said never in his “wildest nightmares” did he believe Jackson would die before him.

The 76-year-old, who was in the studio for three of Jackson's biggest albums – Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad – made his comments during a visit to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff yesterday.

Referring to Jackson's death, he said: “I still don't know how to process it. It's too surrealistic for me. I was 50 years of age when I produced Thriller, his age. I’d never in the world have dreamt in my wildest nightmares that he would leave before me.”

Jones’ career as an arranger and recorder goes back to the 1950s and he has worked with major figures such as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra.

He told BBC Wales that Jackson was among the most talented artists he had worked with. “He was one of the very best in every way,” he said. “Song writing, his performances, his dancing, singing, everything. We were very close.

“The relationship between a producer and an artist is one of love and it’s trust, tremendous trust.”