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Distraught Michael Jackson fans are paying tribute to the star across London. Flowers, candles, posters and farewell messages are being laid at a series of locations linked to the star.
Shrines have appeared at the O2 arena, where Jackson was due to play 50 concerts, at Piccadilly Circus, where a branch of HMV has created a tribute window, and outside the Lyric theatre, home of Thriller Live, the show inspired by the King of Pop's music.
Brothers Moey and Naj Modek travelled to London from Scunthorpe to remember the singer. Moey Modek said: “We were due to be at the concert in a couple of weeks' time so we thought we'd come down and pay our respects.”
Messages posted on the window of HMV Trocadero include “Moonwalk you way to heaven” and “Michael I will tell my children about you, as you were the greatest.”
The scenes in London were replicated in Encino, California, where a stream of fans continued to arrive outside the Jackson family home.
Detlev Will, 44, an insurance broker originally from Germany, brought his wife and two young children.
Mr Will said: “We are devastated. It makes me sad and very mad. In America we build them up to knock them down. Nothing was ever proven against him. Only now in death he is back. This is our Princess Diana moment.”
The Jacksons' neighbour Helene Arthur, 75, said: “He was very childlike himself. He walked around with a little monkey and spoke in this high-pitched, softly spoken voice that made him sound like a girl.”
Shrines were also created at Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, New York's Apollo Theatre and Detroit's Hitsville USA building, the original home of Motown Records.
Thousands of fans who have spent up to £1,000-a-seat for Jackson's gigs have been told they will be entitled to a full refund. Websites including eBay and Seatwave are all promising full reimbursement to buyers through their own insurance schemes.
People who bought through Ticketmaster and Viagogo will be emailed instructions tomorrow on how to claim.
