The $100,000 ticket: Touts try to cash in on Michael Jackson memorial as host of stars and thousands of fans prepare for emotional send-off

By Chris Johnson
Last updated at 8:31 AM on 07th July 2009

A host of stars will gather for a memorial service to remember Michael Jackson today which has seen tickets for the event being offered by touts on eBay for as much as $100,000.

It has also emerged that Britain's Got Talent schoolboy Shaheen Jafargholi is set to sing at the event.

He will join a galaxy of stars poised to appear at the event, including Mariah Carey, Usher and Dreamgirls movie star Jennifer Hudson.

Hottest ticket in town: Fan Joey Daniel collects his free ticket from the Dodgers stadium in Los Angeles. But touts are offering the coveted passes for as much as $100,000

Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi is set to perform at the memorial according to reports

Shaheen, 12, was invited to sing by the Jackson family, who told him the King of Pop was a huge fan of his tribute act.

Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor are among the guests expected to attend the ceremony, which is being held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

U.S. President Barack Obama, Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin and Lionel Richie are also thought to have received invitations, although Obama began a two-day visit to Moscow yesterday and will not be able to attend.

Details of the service have been kept under wraps, but one of the highlights is rumoured to be a performance of Jackson 5 hit I’ll Be There by Mariah Carey.

Shaheen, who performed Jackson's Who's Lovin You on BGT in May, secretly flew out to LA with his mother last night and said: 'Michael was a huge inspiration to me.

'I am honoured and privileged to have been invited to perform here,' he told The Sun.

A source at the memorial service told the newspaper: 'Michael saw a clip from Britain's Got Talent on YouTube.

'He thought it was fantastic and even considered getting him on stage to perform with him at some of his 02 shows laster this year.'

One person who won't be at the memorial is Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex-wife and the mother of his two oldest children.

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Under cover: Michael Jackson's daughter Paris arrives at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park yesterday evening

Saying goodbye: La Toya Jackson, the sister of Michael Jackson, leaves the Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries after attending a family viewing of Michael Jackson

She had planned to attend, but backed out today.

Her lawyer Marta Almli said: '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.

'Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately.'

Congestion: Cars line up outside Dodger Stadium to pick up tickets for the Michael Jackson memorial

Tributes: The star's send off will be held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Thousands of British fans have ignored advice from the Los Angeles Police Department and are making the transatlantic trip for the service.

Airlines confirmed there had been a last minute rush for seats on all flights heading to LA and the surrounding areas.

Police have begged people without tickets to stay away and watch the event on television, fearing traffic chaos by the Staples Centre.

And they will impose a two-block exclusion zone around the stadium to prevent those without tickets from trying to attend.

Mourning: Fans gather outside of the Forest Lawn Mortuary in Hollywood where it is thought Jackson will be laid to rest. His close family are reported to be holding a private ceremony before the public send-off

Traffic-stopping event: Police have begged people without tickets to stay away and watch the event on television, fearing traffic chaos by the Staples Centre

Resting place: A hearse is seen outside the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries

Unconfirmed reports claim the Jackson family will hold a private service for the singer before the memorial takes place.

Dozens of police officers and a fire truck were parked outside Dodger Stadium today, where ticket winners could start picking up their coveted passes to the Staples Centre ceremony.

More than 1.6 million people registered to win the coveted free tickets, and only 8,750 names were chosen. Tickets are now being touted, with some being offered for as much as $100,000 on auction site eBay.

But a spokesperson from the auction website warned in a statement: ‘eBay will not allow the sale of tickets to the Michael Jackson Memorial Service being held on Tues 7 July. All such listings currently on any of our sites are being removed.’

Star mourner: Jackson pictured with Diana Ross, one of the guests expected to be at the ceremony, seen here at New York City's landmark Apollo Theatre in Harlem in April 2002

Lucky fans celebrated when they got an e-mail saying they had scored the hottest ticket in town.

Various reports today suggested Jackson, who died aged 50 on June 25, could be buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood.

Showbiz fans: The star, pictured with Mariah Carey and Usher, two other celebrities attending the event

It is thought his coffin will be sealed in concrete to deter treasure-hunting gravediggers. Other reports suggest he could be cremated or be returned to his Neverland ranch to be buried or have his ashes scattered in the grounds.

Meanwhile a judge ruled today that Jackson's longtime attorney and a family friend should take over the pop singer's estate for now, rejecting a request from the singer's mother to be put in charge or share control.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff backed attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, who had been designated in Jackson's 2002 will as the people he wanted to administer his estate.

Attorneys for the pop singer's mother repeatedly objected to their appointment at today's court hearing.

'It's our desire to do everything we can to carry out Michael Jackson's wishes and to maximize the estate,' said Howard Weitzman, who spoke after the hearing on behalf of Branca.

Weitzman issued a statement later calling the judge's ruling 'the correct decision.'

The singer's mother, Katherine Jackson, had applied to oversee her son's estate, but that was before the 2002 will surfaced.

Her attorney, Burt Levitch, expressed concerns about McClain and Branca's financial leadership.

Jackson died June 25, deeply in debt. But a court filing estimates that his estate will be worth more than $500 million. His assets are destined for a private trust.

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Adored: Fans from all over the world have gathered outside the singer's homes, the Staples Centre where the memorial service will take place and the funeral home in the Hollywood Hills

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