O2 tickets for determined Michael Jackson fans

First in line, Ayesha Obi from Lewisham, pitched her tent at 7.30pm on Wednesday night and was rewarded with front row tickets.

She said: "I wanted to be here to make sure I'd get the best tickets I can possibly get. I have never seen him play live before."

The 19-year-old was also in the second row for the King of Pop's tour announcement at The O2.

She said: "I was just so happy to see him. I queued from about 10am. He is always worth it."

Phone lines were jammed and the star's ticket sale website crashed due to the huge demand.

James Lawrence, from Guilford, arrived around 8pm on Wednesday night. He said: "The only way to get tickets is to queue. It's too hard to get them online or by phoning up."

He added: "There were only four or five tents here when I arrived last night and now there are loads."

His party were camping in style with a generator, sofa, Xbox 360 and a poker table.
Overjoyed Ali Khorasany couldn't believe he was going to see his idol.

He said: "It's surreal, like a dream. I've watched him in videos for 12 years. I have always imagined myself being at his concerts. It's being part of history."

The 17-year-old from Shepherds Bush waited 15 hours to get his hands on four tickets priced £75 each.

He said: "My tickets are for the last night which is the best night. It is his goodbye to the British stage."

Brother Amir, 20, said: "There are people who are buying tickets who aren't real fans. They will just sell them."

He added: "I went off [Jacko] for some years but when he came back this time, I realised I had to attend."

Michael Jackson's This Is It show opens on July 8 and will run until February 24, 2010.