Smash hit

1608BST: Our colleague Phillipe Naughton reports: "Los Angeles police were reportedly searching for Michael Jackson's personal physician today to question him over allegations that the star received a potentially fatal dose of the painkiller Demerol before his death yesterday afternoon." Read more here.

1549BST: An autopsy is thought is already thought to be underway. But the results are not likely to be final until toxicology tests can be completed, a process that could take several days and sometimes weeks.

Meanwhile, Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed said today he will erect a Michael Jackson memorial at the store. “I’m distraught, can’t believe that this could happen, it’s a total shock." said Mr Al Fayed.

He said Jackson once asked to have his own statue at the Harrods store in Knightsbridge, central London, which was “one of his favourite places”.

“When I showed him around the store, he liked my statue,” Mr al Fayed said. “He said ’can I have one alongside you?’ I said ’I don’t mind’, so now I’m going to have a Michael Jackson memorial here.”

1516BST: At Glastonbury, t-shirts with Jackson-related slogans printed have started to appear. One of the more cynical offerings read: “I was at Glasto when Jacko died.” One reveller was also seen parading around the sodden fields in full Michael Jackson costume.

1431BST: AP reports: "An autopsy was planned for Friday, though results were not likely to be final until toxicology tests could be completed, a process that could take several days and maybe weeks. However, if a cause can be determined by the autopsy, the results will be announced, said Los Angeles County Coroner Investigator Jerry McKibben"

1342BST: Sir Paul McCartney fell out with Jackson some years ago, after he gave the King of Pop some fatherly advice. McCartney told Jackson that he should invest in musicians' back catalogues, and Jackson proceeded to buy the rights to the Beatles archive.

Today, Sir Paul said the news was "so sad and shocking," adding “I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy-man with a gentle soul."

1330BST: World statesman also leave their tributes.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela issued a message through his foundation saying Jackson’s loss would be felt worldwide. Jackson sang at a birthday concert for Mandela in 1998, and in 1999, according to local media reports at the time, lunched with Mandela at a small gathering at which the South African anti-apartheid leader celebrated both his 81st birthday and his and wife Graca Machel’s first wedding anniversary.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called it “lamentable news,” though he went on to criticise the media for giving it so much attention.

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