Michael Jackson's body to be displayed on stage memorial service

Michael Jackson's body is expected to go on show to his fans and a worldwide TV audience at today’s memorial service in Los Angeles.

His gold-plated £18,000 coffin is set to be put on display open-topped at the Staples Centre sports and entertainment arena.

His body will 'lie in state' after being driven from the Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills where the Jackson family attended a service last night.

Among those present were the singer’s two older children Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11. His sisters Janet and La Toya Jackson, together with their parents Joe and Katherine and Jacko’s five brothers, were also there.

The procession to the Staples Centre is being described as America’s “Princess Diana moment”. The Jackson brothers were said be keen on the body being driven in an open coffin so that mourners could throw flowers.

A team of circus elephants and tigers were being lined up for a show at the Staples Centre.

The funeral arrangements were being reported in the LA Times and on the TMZ website, which first revealed the 50-year-old singer’s death 12 days ago.

Even for Jackson, whose life was littered with bizarre episodes, the memorial plan was seen by some as ghoulish and the family was said to be divided over whether to make the ceremony more discreet.

The Jacksons’ deeply religious mother, Katherine, was reported to be anxious for a more low-key affair.

The California Highway Patrol was preparing to provide an escort for the family motorcade to travel the 11 miles between the cemetery and the Staples Centre. A cordon has already been thrown around the area to keep at a distance the thousands of fans without tickets who are expected to turn up.

Michael Jackson's body will go on display at the public memorial service being held in Los Angeles today