Warhol's Jackson unveiled in O2

The portrait was commissioned to celebrate Thriller's record sales

A 1984 portrait by Andy Warhol of the late pop singer Michael Jackson has gone on show at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, south-east London.

The work will be displayed for three days before it is taken to New York where it will be auctioned.

Comparable Warhol portraits fetch $17m (£10m) - but the recent death of Michael Jackson may up the price.

Curator at the venue Paul Lilley described viewing it as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

Mr Lilley said: "Michael Jackson's influence on the world of pop is unparalleled.

This portrait brings together the uncontested King of Pop Art with the uncontested King of Pop Janet Lehr, art agent

"This is a perfect chance for us to give our visitors a once in a life time opportunity before the portrait disappears from the public eye into a private collection."

The opening bid for the work, commissioned after record sales of the Thriller album, is set at $800,000.

Janet Lehr, a partner at the portrait seller's agent Vered Gallery, added: "This portrait brings together the uncontested King of Pop Art with the uncontested King of Pop.

"The portrait was painted at the height of their careers and is a celebration of two of the great talents in global cultural history."