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 4 Version 5
LA countdown to Jackson memorial Jackson coffin to go to memorial
(about 3 hours later)
Fans have begun to gather outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Michael Jackson's memorial concert, amid strong police presence. Michael Jackson's body will be brought to his memorial service in Los Angeles, where fans are gathering to say goodbye to the star, LA police have confirmed.
The show, which begins at 1000 local time (1800 BST), will feature Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder. The pop star's coffin will travel to the Staples Center after a private ceremony for his family in the nearby Forest Lawn cemetery.
Concrete barriers have been erected outside the concert hall, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his untimely death on 25 June. Millions of people are expected to watch the memorial, which is being beamed around the world free of charge.
The memorial will be broadcast in the UK on BBC Two and Sky Arts 1. Artists including Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey will play at the event.
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. Roads have been closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Centre, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his untimely death on 25 June.
Other people due to take part in the memorial 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 1FiveNTV The service will also be streamed live on the BBC News websiteHOW TO WATCH IN THE UK BBC TWOBBC News ChannelBBC HDSky NewsSky Arts 1FiveNTV 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. At 0755 LA time (1555 BST), hearses began to drive the Jackson family from their private compound in Encino, Los Angeles, to the star's funeral.
A total of 8,750 people were chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets to attend the ceremony. The Rev Jesse Jackson told the BBC the family had arranged a small religious ceremony for the star, in accordance with their Jehovah's Witness beliefs.
But many ticketless fans have arrived in Los Angeles hoping to get into the Staples Center, including Briton Vikkie Spencer. The "private function" is expected to begin at 0800 LA time (1600 BST), after which the Jacksons will join the crowds at the Staples Center to say their last goodbyes.
'Right reasons'
More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.
But many ticketless fans have arrived in Los Angeles hoping to get into the memorial, including Briton Vikkie Spencer.
Jackson fans head to LA
"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 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.
MEMORIAL LINE-UP Stevie Wonder (pictured)Mariah CareyUsherLionel RichieKobe BryantJennifer HudsonJohn MayerMartin Luther King IIIRev Al SharptonSmokey RobinsonBrooke ShieldsShaheen JafargholiBerry Gordy Crackdown on ticket resales
"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 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 show the memorial live.
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 service
Meanwhile, Jackson's family will hold a private funeral for the star, shortly before the memorial.
The Rev Jesse Jackson confirmed to the BBC that the service would take place on Tuesday morning, and that it would be a small religious service in accordance with the family's Jehovah's Witness beliefs.
BBC reporter Peter Bowes said the Jackson family hoped the funeral would be "a private and relatively quiet service for a few family members and a few close friends, although it probably won't be."
Are you a Michael Jackson fan? How good are you at doing some of his moves?Are you a Michael Jackson fan? How good are you at doing some of his moves?
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.
We'd also like to hear from you if you have a ticket and are going to the memorial concert, you can send us your comments using the form below:We'd also like to hear from you if you have a ticket and are going to the memorial concert, you can send us your comments using the form below:
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions