Sky News quotes Gary Taylor, the head of the world's biggest Michael Jackson online fan club MJJcommunity.com, who says some fans can't cope with the news of the singer's death.

He said: "I know there has been an increase (in deaths), I now believe the figure is 12. It is a serious situation that these people are going through but Michael Jackson would never want this. He would want them to live.”

Taylor continued: "They can't accept it, they feel in some sort of different reality.

“I'm stunned that he's dead. One minute he is coming here for concerts and the next he is gone.

“I think the funeral will be where the reality kicks in that he is gone and won't be coming back, there will be a huge depression in the fan community when that happens."

The music legend's close friend, Reverend Jesse Jackson, has also expressed his fears about the mental state of Michael's loyal fans saying they must pull together instead of taking their lives.

He urged: "This is a time when hearts are heavy. There is great pain but great cause to celebrate Michael's life. It made Michael happy saying 'We Are The World'. Don't self destruct.

"We fall down sometimes, we get back up. That's the right thing to do. In Michael's name let's live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart as fools."

(by Scott Colothan)