October 14, 2009 2:22

Strands of Michael Jackson's burnt hair expected to reach £1,000 at auction

Hair from the infamous Pepsi advert to be sold this week (October 17)

Photo Gallery: Michael Jackson
Photo: Pa Photos

Hair salvaged from the burning head of the late Michael Jackson will go up for auction this week (October 17) and is expected to sell for up to £1,000 ($1,600).

The hair was collected by the executive producer of the infamous Pepsi commercial, Ralph Cohen.

Disaster struck the filming of the commercial when the singer's hair was set alight after a firework display erupted behind him, with producer Cohen helping to put out the fire with his coat.

Footage of the incident was re-examined in the wake of Jackson's sudden death, with many pinning the start of his prescription drug abuse to the Pepsi incident. The pain from the serious burns was said to be intolerable.

The 12 strands of hair are valued collectively at £1,000 ($1,600) and will be auctioned at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel at Heathrow, London on October 17.

The sale is not the only hair-related auction: a clump of Elvis Presley's hair is expected to raise up to £9,000 at auction later this week.