Michael Jackson memorial plaque for Thriller theatre

A memorial is to be erected at a West End theatre in London on the eve of the first anniversary of the death of US pop sensation Michael Jackson.

He died last year just 18 days before he was due to perform 50 sell-out dates at London's O2 Arena.

The plaque will be unveiled on 24 June in the foyer of the Lyric Theatre, where the show Thriller Live is currently playing.

It features a string of hits from Jackson's solo and Jackson 5 career.

Fans flocked to the theatre after Jackson's death on 25 June, and they created a shrine of candles, tributes, flowers and 40 books of condolence.

The ceremony for the plaque will be attended by Britain's Got Talent 2009 winners, dance group Diversity, who had been booked to appear at Jackson's London concerts.

Thriller Live's cast will also attend the event and, before Friday night's performance, six of the youngsters who have played Jackson in the production will sing Speechless - The Tribute.

The song was originally recorded by Jackson and is being released this month in aid of War Child.

The show's executive director, Adrian Grant, said: "The sentiment behind the song, and what it now means to me in Michael's passing, truly reflects the emotions one feels due to his loss - those of sadness, but also remembering the joy he gave the world as we celebrate his life."