Quincy Jones has talked of his shock at Michael Jackson's death

Quincy Jones has spoken of his shock at Michael Jackson's premature death.

The record producer - who was behind the King of Pop's biggest hits - 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 - told BBC Wales: "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, in my wildest nightmares, dream he would leave before me."

He made his comments during a visit to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff for a question and answer session with students yesterday.

Jones - who has worked with major figures such as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra - said Jackson was among the most talented artists he had worked with.

"He was one of the very best in every way," he said. "Songwriting, 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."