Michael Jackson’s new album, King Of Pop, has re-entered the top ten from number 47 after the X Factor contestants covered his songs on Saturday night.

Speaking about its boost in sales HMV’s spokesman, Genaro Castaldo, told 6 Music: “The X Factor shows have become the biggest way of promoting music in the UK ever since we lost Top Of The Pops. Everyone queues up to get on there.

It just shows you the enduring appeal of Michael Jackson, reminding you of how brilliant his songs are
HMV spokesman, Genaro Castaldo

“Off the back of that his album King Of Pop,which was released some weeks ago and was around number 47 last week, has had a massive boost.

“It was at number 47, but the midweek figures show that it is currently sitting in the top ten.

“It just shows you the enduring appeal of Michael Jackson, reminding you of how brilliant his songs are, but also it tells us all how incredibly powerful the X Factor has become at promoting music in the UK.”

However, Castaldo estimated that its position will peter out by the end of the week: “I think potentially the King Of Pop album might fall away a little bit because it’s natural that the most interest follows straight after the show.

“I’d be very surprised if it didn’t make the top 15 or 20 and now that it’s there it might be the case that it’ll carry on selling quite well in the next few weeks.”