'Idol' Michael Jackson joke blasted by family

American Idol contestant James Durbin has been criticised for apparently making light of an incident which severely injured Michael Jackson.

The singer, who performed on last night's show alongside a stage full of pyrotechnics, made reference to a 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot which resulted in Jackson suffering severe burns to his scalp.

Durbin told host Ryan Seacrest: "I have a lot of hairspray in my hair to keep it from jumping around - so much so, the one thing I was worried about was having a 'Pepsi moment'."

A representative for Jackson's family told TMZ: "We were shocked to see this. It's nothing to make light of and everybody should be focusing on who was responsible for Michael's death."

Durbin subsequently defended his comments on Twitter, saying: "For anyone talkin...I said pepsi NOT MJ! I have no disrespect for Michael. I grew up singing his art. I guess youll take it how you want it... (sic)"

He added: "Talkin about MJs passing is too soon. Making a reference to an incident 25 years ago..not too soon. The stab was at pepsi people."

Jackson's sister La Toya has admitted that his death was one of the most difficult experiences of her life, while sibling Janet admitted that she thinks of him every day.