Amzar File

Fans scramble for Jackson tickets

More than half a million Michael Jackson fans have already applied for 17,500 free tickets to the singer's public memorial service next week.

Jackson, who died last week aged 50, will be remembered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Tickets will chosen at random from names registered at staplescenter.com.

Police in Los Angeles expect as many as 700,000 people may try to reach the arena but it will be sealed off to those without tickets.

As of 1730 on Friday (0030 GMT Saturday), more than 524,330 people had registered for tickets, Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said in a statement.

A total of 11,000 free tickets are to be issued for the service. Fans from around the world can apply.

Another 6,500 tickets will be issued for a simulcast of the service at the nearby Nokia theatre. It means a total of 17,500 fans will be able to see the events free.
Officials said 8,750 pairs of tickets would be allotted to the successful entrants after 1800 Saturday (0100 GMT Sunday) and notifications would go out later on Sunday.

Those selected will be able to get their tickets via Ticketmaster on Monday, officials said.

Originally, the Staples Center website said only US residents could apply for tickets, but AEG's Randy Phillips later told the BBC that that was not the case.

Officials appealed to other fans to watch the memorial service from their own homes, amid fears that thousands of people without tickets could flood the area.

"If you do not have a ticket, if you are not credentialed, not only will you not be allowed at these venues, you will not be allowed in this area," said Los Angeles assistant police chief Earl Paysinger.

Big screens

Jackson had been rehearsing for his London concerts at the Staples Center.

In a press conference, family representative Ken Sunshine said they wanted to accommodate as many fans as possible.

"It is all about the fans," he said.

Officials said that no funeral procession would take place and the memorial service would not be shown on big screens outside the venues. Free pool feeds will be made available to media organisations for broadcast, they said.

Earlier, a lawyer for Michael Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe said she was undecided about whether to fight for custody of her two children with the star.

On Thursday, Ms Rowe won a delay in a custody hearing while she decides if she wants to raise Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11.

The singer's youngest son - seven-year-old Prince Michael II - was born to a surrogate mother whose identity has never been revealed.

In his will, Jackson stipulated that his mother, Katherine, 79, should have permanent custody of all three children. She currently has temporary custody of them.

A judge has delayed a guardianship hearing - scheduled for Monday - until 13 July at the request of Ms Rowe and Katherine Jackson.

Mystery death
It is still not known what caused Jackson's death last week at the age of 50.
He collapsed at his home and was pronounced dead two hours later at the UCLA medical centre.

An autopsy was conducted but results are not expected for several weeks. The Jackson family had a second autopsy performed and those results are also pending.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office has said there is no evidence of foul play.
It added that the results of toxicology tests could take weeks to come back.

Jackson service set for Tuesday
A memorial service for Michael Jackson will be held on Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles where he had been rehearsing for his London concerts.

His family announced the event as concert promoters AEG Live released a video of the singer rehearsing for the O2 gigs, two days before his death.

Some 11,000 free tickets will be made available for the service.

Meanwhile, a lawyer for Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe says she is undecided about whether to fight for custody.

Tuesday's memorial service will start at 1000 (1700 GMT).

Footage of Jackson, recorded on 23 June, shows the star singing and dancing as he performed his hit They Don't Really Care About Us - incorporating elements of History and She Drives Me Wild.

The star was rehearsing for a 50-date residency at the O2.

Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live, which also owns the Staples Center, said there were more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage which could be turned into a film and live albums.

"We have enough audio to make two live albums, and he's never done a live album," he added.

"This is really the last great work of a 21st century genius."

Meanwhile, Benny Andersson has quashed rumours that Abba would reform to take over Jackson's O2 dates.

"No-one's asked us, and if they did we wouldn't say yes," he said in an interview filmed for BBC One's Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.

Hearing delayed
On Thursday, Ms Rowe won a delay in a custody hearing while she decides if she wants to raise Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11.

The singer's youngest son - seven-year-old Prince Michael II - was born to a surrogate mother whose identity has never been revealed.

Jackson's will asks for his mother, Katherine, 79, to have permanent custody of all three children.

A judge has now delayed a guardianship hearing - scheduled for Monday - until 13 July, at the request of Ms Rowe and Katherine Jackson, who has temporary custody of the children.

It follows media reports that Ms Rowe wanted to look after her children.

But her lawyer, Eric George, told reporters: "I am representing to you now. Debbie has not reached a final decision concerning the pending custody proceedings."

On Thursday, it was revealed that Jackson had left Ms Rowe out of his will.

"I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Jean Rowe Jackson," the document stated.

Rowe married Jackson in 1996 but filed for divorce in 1999. She gave up custody rights to the children but sought them again in 2003.

They agreed a settlement in 2006 but the terms were never disclosed.

In 2003, Ms Rowe appeared in footage released by Jackson in response to a controversial ITV documentary, which raised allegations of inappropriate behaviour with children by the star.

In it, Ms Rowe described her family as "non-traditional", saying her children were her gift to Jackson.

"My kids don't call me mom because I don't want them to," she said. "These are Michael's children."

-BBC-