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LA countdown to Jackson memorial LA countdown to Jackson memorial
(10 minutes later)
Fans have begun to gather outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Michael Jackson's memorial concert, amid strong police presence.Fans have begun to gather outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Michael Jackson's memorial concert, amid strong police presence.
The show, which begins at 1000 LA time (1800 BST), will feature Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder.The show, which begins at 1000 LA time (1800 BST), will feature Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder.
Concrete barriers have been erected outside the concert hall, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his untimely death on 25 June.Concrete barriers have been erected outside the concert hall, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his untimely death on 25 June.
The memorial will be broadcast in the UK on BBC Two and Sky Arts 1.The memorial will be broadcast in the UK on BBC Two and Sky Arts 1.
Other people due to take part in the service include Motown boss Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.Other people due to take part in the service include Motown boss Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.
HOW TO WATCH IN THE UK BBC TWOBBC News ChannelBBC HDSky NewsSky Arts 1NTV The service will also be streamed live on the BBC News websiteHOW TO WATCH IN THE UK BBC TWOBBC News ChannelBBC HDSky NewsSky Arts 1NTV The service will also be streamed live on the BBC News website
More than 1.6 million people applied for one of the 11,000 passes issued for the event, with an additional 6,500 issued for a screening at the nearby Nokia Theatre.More than 1.6 million people applied for one of the 11,000 passes issued for the event, with an additional 6,500 issued for a screening at the nearby Nokia Theatre.
A total of 8,750 people were chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets to attend the ceremony.A total of 8,750 people were chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets to attend the ceremony.
But many ticketless fans have arrived in Los Angeles hoping to get into the Staples Center, including Briton Vikkie Spencer.But many ticketless fans have arrived in Los Angeles hoping to get into the Staples Center, including Briton Vikkie Spencer.
"We just wanted to come and there's going to be loads of people around anyway and we're just going to be part of it," she said."We just wanted to come and there's going to be loads of people around anyway and we're just going to be part of it," she said.
Fans have been leaving tribute messages outside the Staples CenterFans have been leaving tribute messages outside the Staples Center
"We're just going to go and wait outside and hope to buy some [tickets]"."We're just going to go and wait outside and hope to buy some [tickets]".
The Los Angeles Police Department, trying to avoid a mob scene, have warned those without tickets they will not be able to get close to the venue.The Los Angeles Police Department, trying to avoid a mob scene, have warned those without tickets they will not be able to get close to the venue.
Assistant police chief for Los Angeles, Jim McDonnell, told CNN he did not anticipate any trouble.Assistant police chief for Los Angeles, Jim McDonnell, told CNN he did not anticipate any trouble.
"It will be a crowd that gathers for the right reasons and keeps the reason they're there in mind," he said."It will be a crowd that gathers for the right reasons and keeps the reason they're there in mind," he said.
One person who will not be attending is Jackson's former wife and the mother of two of his children, Debbie Rowe.One person who will not be attending is Jackson's former wife and the mother of two of his children, Debbie Rowe.
"The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy," her lawyer Marta Almli said in a statement."The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy," her lawyer Marta Almli said in a statement.
"Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately.""Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately."
Jackson's long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor has also declined the opportunity to speak at the memorial.Jackson's long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor has also declined the opportunity to speak at the memorial.
"I cannot be part of the public whoopla [sic]," she wrote on Twitter."I cannot be part of the public whoopla [sic]," she wrote on Twitter.
"And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word.""And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word."
MEMORIAL LINE-UP Stevie Wonder (pictured)Mariah CareyUsherLionel RichieKobe BryantJennifer HudsonJohn MayerMartin Luther King IIIRev Al SharptonSmokey RobinsonBrooke ShieldsShaheen JafargholiBerry Gordy Crackdown on ticket resalesMEMORIAL LINE-UP Stevie Wonder (pictured)Mariah CareyUsherLionel RichieKobe BryantJennifer HudsonJohn MayerMartin Luther King IIIRev Al SharptonSmokey RobinsonBrooke ShieldsShaheen JafargholiBerry Gordy Crackdown on ticket resales
"I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event.""I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event."
About 50 cinemas across the US are planning to broadcast the memorial live, for free.About 50 cinemas across the US are planning to broadcast the memorial live, for free.
It will also be relayed to big screens across the UK, Australia and Hong Kong.It will also be relayed to big screens across the UK, Australia and Hong Kong.
Family serviceFamily service
Meanwhile, Jackson's family will attend a private service - expected to be the singer's funeral, shortly before the memorial.Meanwhile, Jackson's family will attend a private service - expected to be the singer's funeral, shortly before the memorial.
The family have remained tight-lipped about the singer's final resting place, but police have confirmed that a "private function" will be held at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles.The family have remained tight-lipped about the singer's final resting place, but police have confirmed that a "private function" will be held at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles.
Several carloads of people, including his sister La Toya, were seen arriving at the heavily secured cemetery on Monday evening, shortly after a hearse arrived, accompanied by five police cars.Several carloads of people, including his sister La Toya, were seen arriving at the heavily secured cemetery on Monday evening, shortly after a hearse arrived, accompanied by five police cars.
BBC reporter Peter Bowes said the Jackson family were due to gather at Forest Lawn "very early in the morning".BBC reporter Peter Bowes said the Jackson family were due to gather at Forest Lawn "very early in the morning".
"They hope it will be a private and relatively quiet service for a few family members and a few close friends, although it probably won't be.""They hope it will be a private and relatively quiet service for a few family members and a few close friends, although it probably won't be."
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