Michael Jackson made a series of recordings with Freddie Mercury, it has been revealed.

According to Queen star Brian May, the songs have never been heard by the public and have remained undiscovered for more than 20 years.

The King Of Pop, who passed away on Thursday, worked with the late Mercury in the 1980s on a number of tracks at his home.

Writing on his website, May said: "He used to come and see us when we were on tour in the States. He and Freddie became close friends, close enough to record a couple of tracks together at Michael's house, tracks which have never seen the light of day."

The musician also paid a touching tribute to Jackson, and said: "I think the world is a more colourful place thanks to Michael's work ... he was a truly wonderful performer at his peak. I think he qualifies as a great artist; he devoted his whole body and soul to his art.

"I only hope he passed away in happiness, in great hopes and anticipation of his glorious comeback tour. RIP Michael."

And he credits Jackson's influence for one of Queen's biggest hits - the Thriller legend urged the group to release Another One Bites The Dust, which hit the top of the U.S. charts in 1980.

May says, 'It was Michael who heard Another One Bites The Dust when he came to see us on The Game tour and told us we were mad if we didn't release it as a single.'