Documentary sends Wacko's sales booming

The documentary of Michael Jackson screened this week has given an unexpected boost to the prince of pop’s record sales, figures showed today.

Some of Jackson’s most famous albums have seen notable rises in sales since Monday night’s screening of his grilling by Martin Bashir.

In the documentary Jackson, 44, disclosed that he let boys sleep in his bed.

But the insight into his bizarre world has helped him shift even more copies of his biggest sellers.

Sales of Thriller shot up by 500% on Tuesday compared to the previous week’s performance and his greatest hits package HIStory rocketed by 1,000% at retail chain HMV in the UK.

The firm’s spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: “Although they started from a very low base the week before, the sales rise is quite significant. I would not be surprised if they continued for the rest of the week.

“I think it shows that exposure may not be particularly favourable but it will always add to some degree of sales increase.”

Jackson’s last album, Invincible, went to number one when released in 2001 but was a major flop compared to the massive achievements earlier in his career.