Legendary entertainer Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Beverly Hills.

The singer reportedly stopped breathing on Thursday afternoon andwas rushed to the UCLA medical centre by paramedics. Despite attemptsto resuscitate the star, he was pronounced dead at 2:26pm local time(22:26 GMT).

Brother Jermaine Jackson has said; "The family request that themedia please respect our privacy during this tough time. And Allah bewith you Michael always. I love you."

The singer, born Michael Joseph Jackson in Gary, Indiana in the USon August 29th 1958, rocketed to global fame with unmistakable hitssuch as Thriller and Bad and has often been cited as the most popularartist in the history of show business.

Mr Jackson leaves behind three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr,Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.