Concert boss: 'Jackson is sane and focused'

The head of concert promotion company AEG has slammed the media for its portrayal of Michael Jackson - insisting the pop superstar is "very sane, very focused and very healthy".

The 'Thriller' hitmaker announced his upcoming comeback tour on Thursday at a press conference in London, revealing he will play 10 shows at the city's O2 Stadium in July.

Jackson hasn't played a full concert since 2001 and has been dogged by rumours of ill health over the last few years.

But AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke, whose company is presenting the 'This Is It' gigs at the O2 Arena, admits the residency has been several years in the planning - insisting Jackson would not take to the stage unless he is completely competent.

He says: "The man is very sane, the man is very focused, the man is very healthy. I think he has been dragged through the mud.

"Despite everything you read about him, he was fine. The man took a physical for us to go do these concerts.

"We spent two years working with Michael trying to get him comfortable with this."

And Leiweke reveals that Jackson is planning to announce more dates, depending on the demand for tickets.

He adds: "I think you'll see 20, 25 dates at the O2. His production budget is... Wow."

The run of 10 shows will begin on 8 July. Tickets, priced from £50 (€55), will go on sale on 13 March.