Fans ignore Jacko vigils

If Michael Jackson was relying on his fans' backing to get him through his troubles, he must be sorely disappointed.

Only a handful bothered turning up to a series of candlelit vigils in cities across the world at the weekend.

But his musical appeal appears to remain intact: despite being charged with child sex offences, Jackson shot to the top of the British charts last night with his new album, Number Ones.

Jackson, 45, is out on £1.7million bail as he awaits trial on child abuse charges.

In New York, only 30 people went to vigils in Times Square and Manhattan, carrying placards saying 'It's the press who are scum' and 'Michael is innocent'.

In Paris, 60 gathered in the Champs Elysees to walk to the Arc de Triomphe. Holding candles, they sang We Are The World, the 1985 famine-relief hit written by Jackson and Lionel Richie. One fan, Pascale Hatot, said: 'I haven't been able to sleep or eat for three days.'

Only six people gathered in Montreal and handfuls more in Rome and Toronto. An event in Hollywood attracted 25 fans. But Jackson family spokesman Stuart Backerman said the star had received 'hundreds' of supportive e-mails.

Actress Elizabeth Taylor said yesterday she believed her pop star friend was 'absolutely innocent', and criticised the press for behaving 'abominably' towards the self-styled King of Pop.

'I know he is innocent and I hope they all eat crow,' she said in a statement.

Meanwhile, it emerged that explicit letters and poems written by Jackson to his alleged victim, 12-year-old cancer patient Gavin Arvizo, will form a central plank of the prosecution case.