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Fans and stars remember Jackson Fans and stars remember Jackson
(10 minutes later)
Fans, family, friends and stars are saying farewell to Michael Jackson at a memorial service in Los Angeles.Fans, family, friends and stars are saying farewell to Michael Jackson at a memorial service in Los Angeles.
His coffin was carried into the Staples Center in Los Angeles by his brothers following an earlier private funeral.His coffin was carried into the Staples Center in Los Angeles by his brothers following an earlier private funeral.
The crowd cheered as it entered, to the strains of a choir singing "Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're going to see the King" from the song Soon and Very Soon. The crowd cheered as it entered to the strains of a choir singing "Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're going to see the King" from the song Soon And Very Soon.
The memorial opened with the reading of tributes from singer Diana Ross and ex-South African President Nelson Mandela.The memorial opened with the reading of tributes from singer Diana Ross and ex-South African President Nelson Mandela.
Artists such as Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Usher are due to appear at the show. The message from Ross was read by Smokey Robinson. "I'm trying to find closure," it said.
Millions of fans around the world are watching on TV.
The stage was adorned with flowers and a tribute to JacksonThe stage was adorned with flowers and a tribute to Jackson
Roads were closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Center, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his sudden death aged 50 on 25 June. "I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Centre I am there in my heart.
There were cheers from the queue as footage on big screens showed Jackson's coffin - decorated with red flowers - emerging from the Forest Lawn cemetery to be transferred in a black hearse for the public service. "Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can't seem to find words to express.
"Michael wanted me to be there for his children and I will be there if they ever need me. I hope today brings closure for all those who loved him."
Mariah Carey sang I'll Be There, ending with the words: "We miss you." Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Usher also appearing at the show.
Other people taking part include Motown boss Berry Gordy, Jennifer Hudson, and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.
Inside the Staples Center, the stage is adorned with the star's image, alongside a mural carrying the words: "In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop - 1958-2009."Inside the Staples Center, the stage is adorned with the star's image, alongside a mural carrying the words: "In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop - 1958-2009."
Other people due to take part in the memorial include Motown boss Berry Gordy, Jennifer Hudson, and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live. Millions of fans around the world are watching on TV.
Celebrity guests include singer Dionne Warwick, actress Brooke Shields and broadcaster Larry King.
It is not known where Jackson's final resting place will be. Early reports suggested he would be buried at his infamous Neverland Ranch, but this may prove impossible due to California's complex planning laws.
There is a huge international media presence outside the Staples CenterThere is a huge international media presence outside the Staples Center
He could also be buried at the Forest Lawn cemetery, alongside the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Andy Gibb, Liberace, Mary Pickford, George Burns and Clara Bow. Roads were closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Center, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his sudden death aged 50 on 25 June.
Family members had earlier attended a funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery.
It is not known where Jackson's final resting place will be. Early reports suggested he would be buried at his infamous Neverland Ranch, but this may prove impossible due to California's complex planning laws.
He could be buried at Forest Lawn, alongside the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Andy Gibb, Liberace, Mary Pickford, George Burns and Clara Bow.
More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.
Those with the coveted golden wristbands started queuing overnight - and became the centre of attention for fans who were unsuccessful in the ballot.
"They're touching us and saying, 'Can you bring the love in for us?'" said Mishelle Van, 37, who drove from the Californian city of Hesperia for the memorial.
BBC News reporter Peter Bowes says there was an "air of tension" as fans filed into the memorial.BBC News reporter Peter Bowes says there was an "air of tension" as fans filed into the memorial.
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
"Security is intense but the process of getting people inside has been orderly," he added."Security is intense but the process of getting people inside has been orderly," he added.
"The huge media presence outside has created a circus-like atmosphere.""The huge media presence outside has created a circus-like atmosphere."
The Los Angeles Police Department, trying to avoid a mob scene, had warned those without tickets they would not be able to get close to the venue. The Los Angeles Police Department, trying to avoid a mob scene, warned those without tickets they would 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. One person not attending is Jackson's former wife and the mother of two of his children, Debbie Rowe.
"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.
"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."
"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."
Millions of people are expected to watch the memorial, which is being beamed around the world free of charge. About 50 cinemas across the US are showing the memorial live.
About 50 cinemas across the US are planning to show the memorial live. It is also being 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.
Are you a Michael Jackson fan?Are you a Michael Jackson fan?
Send us your video tributes to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send us your video tributes to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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