This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8137700.stm

The article has changed 35 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 26 Version 27
Fans and family remember Jackson Fans and family remember Jackson
(31 minutes later)
Michael Jackson's family and fans have said farewell to the pop superstar at an emotional memorial service.Michael Jackson's family and fans have said farewell to the pop superstar at an emotional memorial service.
Jackson's daughter Paris, 11, fought back tears to describe him as as "the best father you can ever imagine".Jackson's daughter Paris, 11, fought back tears to describe him as as "the best father you can ever imagine".
The singer's coffin was placed in front of the stage during the event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles after an earlier private funeral.The singer's coffin was placed in front of the stage during the event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles after an earlier private funeral.
Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey paid tribute before the family joined a sombre finale on stage.Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey paid tribute before the family joined a sombre finale on stage.
Stevie Wonder said: "This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see come. Michael I love you." Jackson's siblings, children and parents took part in a chorus of We Are The World and Heal the World.
The crowd cheered as the golden flower-draped coffin entered the arena to the strains of a choir singing "Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're going to see the King" from the song Soon And Very Soon. His family, with the brothers each wearing a single jewelled glove in Jackson's honour, then took to the podium.
Michael Jackson's brothers wore his trademark single glovesMichael Jackson's brothers wore his trademark single gloves
Mariah Carey opened the show, performing I'll Be There, ending with the words: "We miss you." Comforted by aunts and uncles, Paris stepped up the microphone. "I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine," she said.
Jackson's brother Jermaine took to the stage to perform the song Smile. It was said to be the King of Pop's favourite song, featuring the lyric: "Smile though your hearts are aching." "And I just wanted to say I love him so much."
Others paying tribute included Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and Brooke Shields. Marlon Jackson spoke of the troubles his brother faced. "We will never, never, understand what he endured," he said.
Some sang, while others spoke about their memories of the King of Pop and his influence on music and society. Many embraced family members as they left the stage. "Not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathered around, being judged, being ridiculed. How much pain can one take?
The BBC's Matthew Price, who was in the arena, said: "It's had to clearly see the family but the glimpses I'm getting show a family both in mourning, and in celebration of his life. "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."
"There are moments of the intensely personal in this very public event." 'Nothing strange'
Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton gave a fiery speech, telling Jackson's children: "There weren't nothing strange about your daddy." Jackson's brother Jermaine earlier took to the stage to perform the song Smile. It was said to be the King of Pop's favourite song, featuring the lyric: "Smile though your hearts are aching."
At the start of the service, Jackson's brothers carried the golden flower-draped coffin into the arena to the strains of a choir singing "Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're going to see the King" from the song Soon And Very Soon.
Mariah Carey was among the artists paying tribute, performing I'll Be There and ending with the words: "We miss you."
Images of Jackson flashed on screens as Stevie Wonder performed
Stevie Wonder said: "This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see come. Michael I love you."
Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton gave a fiery speech, telling Jackson's children: "There weren't nothing strange about your daddy.
"It was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it.""It was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it."
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 Diana Ross
Motown boss Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson Five, ended his tribute with the words: "Michael, thank you for the joy, thank you for the love. you will live in my heart forever."Motown boss Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson Five, ended his tribute with the words: "Michael, thank you for the joy, thank you for the love. you will live in my heart forever."
Actress Brooke Shields, who first met Jackson when she was 13, broke down in tears as she took to the stage.Actress Brooke Shields, who first met Jackson when she was 13, broke down in tears as she took to the stage.
Describing Jackson as "pure", she said: "He was often referred to as the King but the Michael that I knew was always the little prince. Michael saw everything with his heart."Describing Jackson as "pure", she said: "He was often referred to as the King but the Michael that I knew was always the little prince. Michael saw everything with his heart."
The 17,500 people in the arena cheered as clips of Jackson's life and music were played on big screens.The 17,500 people in the arena cheered as clips of Jackson's life and music were played on big screens.
Messages were read from absent guests including former South African President Nelson Mandela, poet Maya Angelou and singer Diana Ross.Messages were read from absent guests including former South African President Nelson Mandela, poet Maya Angelou and singer Diana Ross.
The stage was adorned with flowers and a tribute to Jackson class="" href="/2/hi/entertainment/8139422.stm">Reporters' log: Live updates 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 Diana Ross
The message from Ross was read by Smokey Robinson. "I'm trying to find closure," it said.The message from Ross was read by Smokey Robinson. "I'm trying to find closure," it said.
"I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Center I am there in my heart."I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Center I am there in my heart.
"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 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.""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."
Other people taking part include Usher and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.Other people taking part include Usher and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.
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." The stage was adorned with the star's image, alongside a mural carrying the words: "In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop - 1958-2009."
Millions of fans around the world are watching on TV. 'Everybody cried'
Speaking after the event, one fan, Marianne Green, told the BBC the memorial was "heart wrenching".
"It was really beautiful. A lot of people got up and said wonderful things," she said.
Pamela Green added: "We laughed at some jokes, but everybody cried. I've never seen anything like that, ever."
Millions of fans around the world watched on TV.
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.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.
More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the memorial event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the memorial event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.
One person not 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.
About 50 cinemas across the US are showing the memorial live. It is also being relayed to big screens across the UK, Australia and Hong Kong.
Family members earlier attended a short funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery.Family members earlier attended a short funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery.
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.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.