MICHAEL Jackson’s original guitarist Jennifer Batten will be making a special appearance at the King of Pop show starring Navi.

Leading MJ tribute artist Navi is bringing his show to the Regent Centre in Christchurch on October 14.

Jennifer, Jackson’s lead guitarist, performed with Michael on all three world tours (Bad, Dangerous, History) and the iconic Super Bowl half-time show.

Along with a live band and dancers, Navi and Jennifer will be taking theatres across the UK by storm.

Navi is the only MJ tribute ever to be chosen by Michael Jackson himself where he described his performance as ‘incredible’.

Having performed for Michael at one of his birthday parties in Los Angeles, Michael not only applauded Navi for his renditions of Smooth Criminal and Billie Jean, but went onto giving him a standing ovation.

Navi was regularly hired as a body double and decoy to distract fans and press when Michael was on tour.

Jennifer Batten was Michael’s ‘right-hand woman’ on three sell-out world tours. She was initially hand-picked to play on the Bad tour but Michael was so impressed that she joined him on the road for the next 10 years, playing on his Dangerous and History tours to more than 4.5 million fans worldwide.

Talking about the tour, Jennifer said: “I’m really looking forward to playing Michael Jackson’s music again with a top notch tribute in the UK.

“I remember the crowds in the UK were crazy for Michael.”

The show will feature hits such as Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean, Black or White, Man In The Mirror and the ‘Jackson Five’ classics.