Michael Jackson Memorial Confirmed for Staples Center

Saturday 4th July 2009 - 15:00:00

Michael Jackson's family has confirmed the late pop superstar's funeral service will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning (07Jul09) - ironically the same date he signed off on his will seven years ago (02).

Fans and media had gathered outside the the King of Pop's former Santa Barbara County, California home, Neverland Ranch, after reports suggesting there would be a public viewing of Jackson's body there on Friday (03Jul09) spread at the beginning of the week (beg29Jun09).

The Jackson family have since dismissed the rumours, insisting there are no plans to take Jackson's remains to Neverland.

And a few minutes ago, a source close to the family confirmed a public memorial will take place at the home of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team next week.

Jackson was rehearsing for his planned British comeback shows at the Staples Center in the days before his death last week (25Jun09).

Meanwhile Michael Jackson's family has allegedly scrapped plans to charge fans for attending the King of Pop's memorial service after outraged devotees expressed their disgust at the proposal.

According to reports, the superstar clan was set to demand $25 (£16) for a ticket to the huge event in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning (07Jul09).

The Staples Center was chosen as a poignant place to hold the service, as Jackson had been rehearsing his This Is It comeback shows there just 24 hours before dying of a cardiac arrest last Thursday (25Jun09).

But fans were reportedly left furious when rumours circulated claiming the Thriller legend's relatives were planning an admission charge - as 20,000 fans are expected to pack into the venue.

However, the Jacksons decided to scrap the idea after furious discussions on Thursday (02Jul09), in which close advisors warned them not to anger mourning fans, according to RadarOnline.com.

Instead, fans can now enter their name into a random ballot to try and secure one of 11,000 tickets to the memorial.