Michael Jackson to visit UK for awards show

Pop star Michael Jackson is to make his first public appearance in the UK in nine years, it has been announced today. The King of Pop is to receive an award at the World Music Awards in London next month. Singer will receive the Diamond Award - recognising artists who sell over 100 million albums - for his contribution to the music industry at the star-studded annual show at the Earl's Court Arena on November 15. Jackson's last UK public appearance was as part of the HIStory tour in 1997. This year marks the 25th anniversary of his seminal album Thriller, which has sold over 40 million copies across the world. Past recipients of the Diamond Award include Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi and Celine Dion. "We are thrilled to be bringing the World Music Awards to London, the music capital of the world," said founder Melissa Corken. "The UK is the home of many of the world's greatest selling artists of all time. The presence of Michael Jackson is very exciting for us." It is the most televised music awards show in the world with an estimated global audience of one billion viewers in 160 countries. Actress Lindsay Lohan will be hosting the show and there will be performances from Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Katie Melua, and classical heartthrob Andrea Bocelli. The show was hosted in Monaco for 15 years and has been held in the US for the past two. Channel 4 will broadcast the awards ceremony on November 22. WMA in the net: http://www.worldmusicawards.com Source: AP/MJJF/eMJey