Regional editors across the UK have today been ripping up their papers following the shock news of the death of Michael Jackson.

With the singer’s death not confirmed until well after 11pm last night, the story missed most editions of the national papers on sale this morning.

However many regional papers with later overnight print deadlines were able to get the story on their front pages, including the Derby Telegraph, Birmingham Post, Coventry Telegraph, Leicester Mercury and Dorset Echo.

And the star’s death has continued to dominate the news agenda for today’s evening titles, with the Birmingham Mail among those which cleared the front end of the paper for its coverage.

Mail editor Steve Dyson wrote a full account of the night’s events on his blog, revealing that he decided against calling his staff into the office after midnight.

He said Paul Cole, the executive editor on the Sunday Mercury, had texted him at 10.53pm to say ‘Michael Jackson dead!’.

Steve then texted fellow editors Marc Reeves of the Birmingham Post and Dave Brookes of the Coventry Telegraph whose papers go to bed around midnight. “Both knew and were onto it for their page ones,” wrote Steve.

Meanwhile online editor David Higgerson uploaded the story to the paper’s website along with those of other Trinity Mirror titles.

At midnight, Steve said he received a text saying: “Shall we go in now.” He replied: “No – sleep. Start early and refreshed.”

This morning Steve held a 6.45am conference, making the decision to clear pages one to five for the Jackson story, with a poster front page.

Wrote Steve: “Yes, it’s a national story, and yes, it’s now everywhere. But this is a moment to fill the boots of the first print media with the full story and pictures – the nationals first editions missed it, the later updates only carrying a quick changed front and obit.”

An eight-page King of Pop tribute will follow in tomorrow’s paper in place of the regular Bygones pullout.

Elsewhere, Leicester Mercury acting editor Keith Perch got a call from his chief photographer Jason Senior at 11.30pm telling him that national news agencies were confirming the death.

At that stage, deputy editor Richard Bettsworth was still in the office and together with chief sub Matt Sulley they began redoing the front page, while Keith personally updated the paper’s website.

Meanwhile the Norwich Evening News had one eye on the local follow-up by including its customary come-on at the end of the story.

Underneath a short report of the singer’s death, the paper posed the question: “Did you have tickets to any of his forthcoming gigs? Call reporter Sam Emanuel on 01603 772438.”