The annual Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards show changed its programme at the last minute to honour Michael Jackson, who had died suddenly just days before, and saw Jackson’s father Joe and sister Janet join in the tribute.

This was the first major tribute to the King of Pop, who collapsed and died in Los Angeles on Thursday, at the age of 50.

Jackson’s family has insisted that a second autopsy be carried out because of “unanswered questions” about his death.

His father, Joe Jackson, spoke on the red carpet, saying that he had “a lot of concerns” about the events surrounding the death of his son.

Foul play was ruled out by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, but a determination as to cause of death was deferred until toxicology and other test result were in hand.

There has been unconfirmed speculation that Jackson was taking the painkiller Demerol daily – a medication also known as pethidine.

Police conducted an extensive interview with Jackson’s personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, on Saturday, who was with the pop star at the time of his death.

A spokeswoman for the doctor confirmed that he was not a suspect in the singer’s death, but had “helped identify the circumstances around the death of the pop icon and clarified some inconsistencies.”

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