MORE than 100 tickets have been sold for a performance at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall by a Michael Jackson tribute act.

Navi, who describes himself as the star’s leading impersonator, was booked late last year to appear in the main concert hall at 7pm on June 2.

The ‘King of Pop’ show was confirmed by the promoter on December 19 and tickets went on sale on December 21 at £24.50 and £34.50 for VIP treatment including a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Navi and fellow star Jennifer Batten who was the late Mr Jackson’s guitarist.

The show is advertised with age suitability as ‘Parental Guidance’.

In January a controversial documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’ premiered including claims from two men that they were sexually abused as children by Jackson.

In March Navi, who was Jackson’s official body double, claimed in a newspaper interview the film had not had any negative impact and his bookings had actually increased.

In the interview, which followed the UK airing of ‘Leaving Neverland’ by Channel Four, Navi defended his hero and said the two-part film was ‘convicting a man that’s not here to defend himself'.

Mr Jackson, who died in June 2009, was acquitted of child molestation charges in the USA’s Santa Barbara County Superior Court in 2005.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leisure boss Cllr Damian Talbot said: “The show by Navi was booked before the documentary came out.

“There are a lot of Michael Jackson fans out there who may wish to see him.

“We do not make decisions made on the basis of allegations in documentary films. Michael Jackson has never been convicted of anything.

“It is about his music, not the man. The council will look at bookings and reaction which may inform future decisions on whom we book for King George’s Hall.”

Ofcom rejected 230 complaints against the Michael Jackson documentary. The watchdog said the allegations were balanced by references to the singer’s family denying the accusations.

A council spokeswoman said: “So far more than 100 tickets have been booked. We expect that to rise to at least 200.

“A final decision on whether to use the main concert hall, which holds more than 2,000 people, or the smaller Windsor Suite which holds 750, will be made nearer the time.

“To date there have been no customer complaints about the show nor any requests for refunds for tickets already purchased.”

The concert’s official publicity material says: “Navi is regarded as the world’s number one Michael Jackson tribute artist and was handpicked by Michael himself as his official body double.

“Michael also hired Navi to perform at two of his birthday parties where he gave Navi a standing ovation and described his performance as ‘incredible’.

“This year Navi was also chosen by Hollywood and received critical acclaim after starring Michael in the new movie ‘Michael Jackson – Searching For Neverland’.

“Jennifer was Michael’s ‘right-hand woman’ on three sell-out world tours.

“Now, Jennifer has teamed up with Navi for an unforgettable experience – taking fans closer than ever dreamed to an original Michael Jackson concert.”