Mariah told CNN "I'm inconsolable at the present time, I was a very good friend of Jordan, he was probably the greatest basketball player this country has ever seen. We will never see his like again."

When told by reporters that it was King Hussein of Jordan, and not Michael Jordan, who had died, a dazed Mariah was led away in tears by her security staff.

Mariah's press office released a statement later saying that the singer had been under 'enormous pressure' recently, and would like to apologise for seeming a little vacant. She also stated that her thoughts were with Iraq at this 'terrible time'.