Cover of the one-off Smash Hits issue, out on Tuesday, honouring Michael Jackson's life

SMASH HITS, the well-loved pop magazine which captivated teenagers for three decades, is to return for a one-off special celebrating the life of Michael Jackson.

The publication folded in 2006 after nearly 30 years of providing young music fans with news, gossip and posters of the big acts of the day.

But yesterday, former editor Barry McIlheney said he will produce a special 52-page edition of the magazine dedicated to the King of Pop.

The issue will go on sale in Tuesday and features a 1982 interview with Jackson carried out by the then editor Mark Ellen.

It also features reports from Jackson’s live shows, posters, song words and the story of his famous pet chimpanzee Bubbles.

McIlheney said: “We will be paying tribute to Michael in classic Smash Hits style.”

"We will be paying tribute to Michael in classic Smash Hits style"

Smash Hits was a favourite among teenagers since its launch in 1978 as a monthly magazine, but switched to fortnightly publication after just three issues due to its growing popularity.

Much of its success was down to the Top 20 song lyrics it published every issue, as well as the news and gossip it provided.

Among the famous names to have worked at Smash Hits included Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, who worked as assistant editor, and Heat editor Mark Frith.

It even held its own annual music awards ceremony, The Smash Hits Poll Winners’ Party, in which Jackson himself won a gong in 1995.

But the title’s circulation slumped due to competition from rival magazines and, in the 2000s, the growth of the internet and music TV channels.

It published its last issue in February 2006, but a novelty book containing archive interviews and pictures was published that Christmas.