Tickets for Michael Jackson's London gigs have sold out just hours after going on general sale.

Thousands of the star's fans queued through the night outside London's O2 Arena, with many more jamming phone lines in the hope of securing a ticket.

The King of Pop will play more than 50 dates in a run that extends to February 2010.

The presale ticket allocation for the King of Pop's first 30 shows was quickly sold, so more gigs were scheduled.

He has returned to America for rehearsals and is said to be "ecstatic" about the way the shows are being received.

Organisers held back half the passes for each show until the general sale began at 7am.

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