After arriving two hours late, Michael took to the stage at a press conference in the O2 Arena and revealed that he was to play 10 shows at the London venue - this was later increased to 50.

The live shows, scheduled for June 2009, would have been the first time he performed since the 2006 World Music Awards. Jackson said at the conference: "When I say this is it... this really is it... the final curtain."

It was estimated that Michael would net around £1.5million per show which could have perhaps helped him clear his reported debts of £100million. Sadly, Michael was never able to perform his farewell tour.