Fans of Michael Jackson have been hit hard by the star's death - 12 devotees have allegedly killed themselves following the tragic news.

The King Of Pop passed away on Thursday from a cardiac arrest and millions of his fans worldwide went into mourning.

But several of them found it too hard to cope and subsequently ended their own lives, according to the founder of an online Jackson fanclub.

Gary Taylor, president and owner of MJJcommunity.com, says, "I know there has been an increase (in deaths), I now believe the figure is 12. It is a serious situation that these people are going through but Michael Jackson would never want this. He would want them to live.

"They (fans) can't accept it, they feel in some sort of different reality. I'm stunned that he's dead. One minute he is coming here for concerts and the next he is gone. I think the funeral will be where the reality kicks in that he is gone and won't be coming back, there will be a huge depression in the fan community when that happens."

And Jackson's political activist pal Reverend Jesse Jackson has even recorded a message to his fans, urging them not to "self-destruct" in the wake of the singer's demise.

Jesse Jackson says, "This is a time when hearts are heavy. There is great pain but great cause to celebrate Michael's life. It made Michael happy saying 'We Are The World'. Don't self-destruct. We fall down sometimes, we get back up. That's the right thing to do. In Michael's name let's live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart as fools."

Thousands of Jackson fans are planning a vigil on 13 July at the O2 Arena in London where the star was due to kick off his 50-date comeback tour.