Thousands of fans have paid tribute to Michael Jackson at The O2 Arena JONATHAN SHORT

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THOUSANDS of Michael Jackson fans from across the world held a vigil at The O2 Arena last night to mark what would have been the first of his London gigs.

Fans, some in tears and some in Jackson costumes, congregated at the north Greenwich venue where the star had been due to begin a run of 50 concerts in his "This Is It" tour.

Websites and Facebook groups had been encouraging people to bring candles and flowers for the vigil.

Many added messages to a wall of tributes, while others conducted impromptu sing-a-longs or simply sat in quiet contemplation.

A minute’s silence was observed at 6.30pm to mark the time when the doors to the concert would have opened.

"I think there will fans meeting here for the whole of the 50 nights he was meant to perform"

Michael Lewis, 25, a retail manager from Edmonton who arrived dressed in a full Jackson stage costume, said: "I think there will fans meeting here for the whole of the 50 nights he was meant to perform.

"We’ve been dancing and singing. Remembering his music, but also all the good that he did."

Ellie Howlett, 24, a student from Portsmouth, said: "London has become the focal point for all of his fans in Europe because of the concerts so it was important to be a part of this."

Jasper Haughton, 31, from Copenhagen, Denmark, had bought tickets for the ill-fated gigs but decided to come to the capital anyway.

He said: "We’re here for grieving, but the main thing is a celebration of Michael. We should have been going to the concert but we’re standing here instead. It doesn’t make any sense."

Many of the fans paying their respects to the 50-year-old star said they hoped to attend a tribute concert, planned for later this year.

AEG Live, the promoters behind the "This Is It" tour, have hinted that the singer’s 51st birthday in August could be a possible slot for the concert.

The exact cause of Jackson’s death could be known within days when toxicology reports are released.

LA assistant chief coroner Ed Winter said the results of some tests to determine what substances the singer had in his body when he died were already in, with the remaining results expected at the end of this week or early next week.

Jackson died on 25 June after suffering an apparent heart attack at his rented mansion in Los Angeles.

Authorities are investigating claims the pop star consumed large quantities of prescription medications leading up to his death.