This shocking illustration shows the appalling toll that drug dependency took on Michael Jackson’s body.

Puncture wounds on his neck, arms and legs — damning proof of the singer’s addiction — were graphically detailed in the coroner’s report into his death.

In a final blow to the pop icon’s battered image, the autopsy also revealed that Jackson’s ‘sparse’ hair was ‘connected to a wig’.

There were 13 puncture marks on Jackson’s body, and 38 marks in total.

The 51-page report was unveiled after Jackson’s personal physician Dr Conrad Murray appeared in court in Los Angeles charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The report, which concludes that the care the singer received in the final hours of his life violated accepted medical standards, will be a centrepiece in the high-profile prosecution case against the cardiologist.

The Los Angeles coroner’s office had previously said the 50-year-old star died from a lethal dose of the powerful anaesthetic Propofol, which Jackson referred to as ‘milk’.

But the full report went further, describing the amount of Propofol Jackson was given as enough to knock a patient unconscious for ‘major surgery’.

Coroner’s officers described the hospital-like scene around Jackson’s bed last June after he stopped breathing.

There was a green oxygen tank, prescription medications, medical supplies, a box of catheters, disposable needles and alcohol pads as well as a closed bottle of urine.

But, according to the report, the oxygen tank was empty, equipment was disconnected and there were no monitors or a controlled infusion pump for intravenous administration of drugs.

In addition to Propofol, Jackson’s blood contained anxiety sedatives Lidocaine, Diazepam, Nordiazepam, Lorazepam and Midazolam, as well as Ephedrine, which is used for narcolepsy and depression.

— Daily Mail

Beyoncé, Alicia Keys sizzle as Rio carnival queens for new video

The official opening of Rio Carnival may be three days off, but Beyoncé got the party started early as she took to the streets to film a new video clip.

The pop star put on a dazzling display in the Brazilian city as she paraded around in a sparkling two-piece costume and huge headdress.

She was joined by Alicia Keys, who also wore a dramatic feathered helmet with her silver costume.

The pair are currently filming a clip for their duet Put It In A Love Song, which features on Alicia’s recently released album, The Element Of Freedom.

Earlier, Beyoncé put her best moves on show as she danced on the stairs of a disused bus in a Carmen Miranda-inspired number.

She took over the Praca Maua square as she pranced around in a green and blue playsuit.

Alicia also worked on scenes while surrounded by improvised buildings, washing lines and inquisitive children.

She performed on the roof of a house in the shadow of Christ The Redeemer in the shanty town of Morro Santa Marta in Rio De Janeiro.

— Daily Mail

Ellen DeGeneres hit the right notes with “American Idol” viewers.

Fans took to the Internet to express their pleasant surprise over the 52-year-old funny lady’s debut as the singing competition’s fourth judge. DeGeneres assumed her judging panel post for Tuesday’s episode chronicling the first round of “Hollywood Week,” the cut throat post-audition phase in which 181 contestants will be narrowed down to 24 semi-finalists.

The majority of folks posting about DeGeneres on Twitter praised her performance. Some said they were only tuning in for DeGeneres, but not everyone was a devotee. A denim ensemble worn by DeGeneres, also host of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” was mocked by a few tweeters.

When Fox announced that DeGeneres, an Emmy winner with no formal music experience, would be the new judge last September, fans were divided over the unlikely replacement for Paula Abdul, the sugary sweet pop singer who judged “Idol” since it debuted in 2002 then left amid contract negotiations after the eighth season ended last year.

–AP

Joan Collins channels Dynasty for photoshoot

It was the role that garnered her worldwide fame and made her a style icon.

And in a new photoshoot for a jewellery brand, Joan Collins, 76, revived the high-wattage glamour of her infamous Dynasty character Alexis Carrington.

With raven-haired locks, smokey eyes and ruby-red lips, it was certainly a more youthful-looking Joan who struck a pose for jewellers Alexis Bittar.

The British actress looked years younger as she stepped into a new role as the face of jewellery designer Alexis Bittar.

For Joan, it was a return to the signature glamour that saw her earn her place in television’s hall of fame as Alexis on the set of Dynasty in the 1980s.

— Daily Mail