David Gest was a close confidant of both Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston and he believes Whitney – who was laid to rest in New Jersey on Sunday would have liked to have got together Michael, but he was “too shy” to make a move on her.

He said: “She really loved Michael and he adored her. Michael told me they once shared a passionate kiss, and she told me she was at one time very much in love with him.  I think she really wanted to marry him, but although he had a crush on her, he was too shy.  Later, he confessed to me he should have made every move. If they had got together, I believe Whitney would not have done drugs or become a semi-recluse.”

David, 58, – who was previously married to Liza Minnelli – saw Whitney perform in Copenhagen, Denmark, last year and he was reduced to tears by the fact she could no longer hold the notes she used to.

David – who interviewed the music legend for his acclaimed documentary ‘Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon’ – added in an interview with The Sun newspaper: “When we met last year, it was at her concert in Copenhagen and it was the saddest performance I had ever seen her give.  Tears came to my eyes as she just couldn’t hold her notes. I actually walked out after four songs, had a sob then came back to watch the rest of the show. My heart was bleeding for her.”