JACKSON TIPPED AS 2010'S HIGHEST EARNING STAR

Michael JacksonMichael Jackson is set to be the world's top earning celebrity brand next year, making up to £150 million from beyond the grave, even more than RonaldoRonaldo and the Beckhams.

And he is not the only one as Elvis, Heath LedgerHeath Ledger and Jade Goody are also in the list of top 20 stars, dead or alive, whose names alone are enough to set the cash tills ringing.

Jackson's early death this year means his estate is likely to benefit from a range of lucrative products from his music and videos to toys and trinkets and other officially licensed goods.

Jade Goody is still a valuable brand, thanks to her books and perfumes, while Heath Ledger's work lives on in royalties from DVD sales.

The top 20 for 2010 was compiled by trade and marketing experts based on potential moneyspinners from upmarket clothing ranges right down to dolls and tea towels.

The list includes Harry Potter stars Daniel RadcliffeDaniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, singers such as Lady GaGa and Britney, actors such as Twilight heart-throb Robert PattinsonRobert Pattinson and sporting heroes such as Lewis HamiltonLewis Hamilton, still a bigger brand name than rival Jenson ButtonJenson Button.

The predictions come from the top 1,000 licensing and merchandising experts across Europe taking part in the trade event Brand Licensing in London at the end of this month.

They include owners of celebrity brands and licences as well as those from retail, manufacturing, promotion and advertising industries.

Ciarán Coyle, managing director, The Beanstalk Group, said: "The Michael Jackson estate could earn an estimated £100 to £150m in royalties from licensing in 2010.

"His image and legacy is licensed on anything from coins and clothes, to coffee table books and singing stuffed animals.

"To put that into context, Elvis' estate was worth £30m last year and only a fraction of this was from licensing deals.

"The reason his estate will do so well as a licensing property is because Jackson had both fame and an emotional connection with potential consumers."
the top 20 celebrities
1.Michael Jackson
2.Cristiano Ronaldo
3.Lady GaGa
4.Emma Watson (Hermione GrangerHermione Granger in Harry Potter)
5.Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)
6.David and Victoria BeckhamVictoria Beckham
7.Lewis Hamilton
8.Robert Pattinson
9.Elvis PresleyElvis Presley
10.Britney SpearsBritney Spears
11.Katy Perry
12.Andy MurrayAndy Murray
13.Usain Bolt
14.Jenson Button
15.Kate Moss
16.Katie Price
17.Jamie Oliver
18.Paris Hilton
19.Heath Ledger
20.Jade Goody