Michael Jackson's spokesperson has shot down reports that the fragile star is secretly battling skin cancer. Photo / AP
Michael Jackson
's spokesperson has shot down reports that the fragile star is secretly battling skin cancer and insists he's in "the best of health."
British tabloid
The Sun
reported that the 50-year-old hitmaker was recently diagnosed after doctors spotted early signs of the cancer on his neck and precancerous cells on his face.
But despite the alleged diagnosis, the newspaper claimed that Jacko's condition was treatable and would not affect his string of 50 comeback shows at London's O2 Arena in July. The newspaper said Jackson was expected to make a full recovery.
A snitch told the newspaper: "Michael's tests showed spots of skin cancer on his body, and cells which could turn to skin cancer on his face."
"He was at first very concerned, but says he has been assured by the doctors that they can treat this and he will recover.
"Michael is really looking forward to his concerts and is determined to wow his fans at each and every gig.
The snitch added: "He said he's insisted that any treatment must fit around the concerts, and the show will go on."
Vitiligo
Wacko's been dogged by rumours of ill-health for years. Most contested of all is his
, which paleface puts down to vitiligo - a disease which affects skin pigmentation - and claims he was diagnosed with it over twenty years ago.
Naysayers say he's simply had his skin bleached in a vain bid to turn himself white, a claim that Jacko has always denied. But there was that curious eBay auction of what was purported to be his belongings of yesteryear which contained
a tube of a certain skin bleaching product
The Sun
's report claimed Jackson had made several visits to his Beverly Hills dermatologist, wearing his trademark mask and surgical cap. And that last month he was spotted at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, which has a specialist lab to test for skin diseases.
The hospital visits made headlines last month after his car was in a collision with an ambulance when it arrived to pick him up.
The tabloid tattler also claimed that Jacko would be treated by Santa Monica-based skin cancer surgeon Dr Ralph Masse, who was educated at Cambridge, England.
The skin cancer reports follows widespread concern and speculation that Jackson's ill-health could pull the plug on his residency at the O2 Arena from July 8, because he's "underweight and too frail". Speculation surfaced earlier this month that doctors had told Jacko he was too thin to perform and risked collapsing on stage if he didn't adjust his eating habits and eat more.
"There are concerns Michael is too frail. He has been ordered to eat more but he refuses to and eats like a bird," snitches said at the time.
But concert promoter AEG Live insisted the 50-year-old star is "extremely fit" and looking forward to taking to the stage.
"He's fitter than I'll ever be. His cholesterol levels, his blood, everything was perfect and we got the insurance."
And Jacko is said to be determined to make the £150million
This Is It
residency a success and is currently involved in gruelling rehearsals in LA.
According to snitches, Jackson spends "four days a week at a rehearsal space near Los Angeles's Burbank airport."
The star's two-hour-plus stage show - his first full concert since 2001 - is rumoured to feature more than 22 different sets, several costume changes and a new dance move that will make the Moonwalk look like the Locomotion.
"He's in perfect health..."
Jackson's aides have now hit back at the cancer reports and insist he is in "the best of health". "He is great," His business partner Dr. Tohme told the
New York Daily News
. "He's in perfect health ... he doesn't have any diseases whatsoever," he added.
Tohme is adamant that Jacko is all set for his comeback gigs and will prove his doubters wrong.
"He's come back to put an end to all the bulls*** rumours about his health.
"I think he has answered his critics. He is back to his old self - he's fine, and couldn't be in better shape. He was away for all this time because he was dedicating his life to his children and being a single parent, he said."
He added: "It was his idea because he misses his fans and his fans have missed him.
"He is very excited and the shows this summer are going to be more spectacular than ever before."
And so the rumours that pop's Peter Pan is about to slip off the mortal coil and moonwalk his way to Never Never Land on a magical unicorn continue apace. The lowly skin cancer report is but one of countless claims that he's not long for this world...
* Last December it was claimed Jackson was gravelly ill and needed an
in order to survive. His biographer was quoted as saying he also had emphysema and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding.
Verdict:
Cobblers.
* 'Michael Jackson fighting flesh-eating infection' screamed the tabloid headlines in February, amid reports that he had contracted a staph infection following cosmetic surgery on his nose. The singer was reportedly receiving antibiotics through an IV drip to beat the unknown disease that had allegedly spread throughout his body.
Verdict:
Cobblers
Let's be honest, Jackso's wellbeing has always been a bit of a worry. His penchant for 'life-preserving'
,
(OMG, check out those corned beef hands),
,
and
all signpost to a rather sad and tortured caricature ripe for poking a stick at.
But before we stick a fork in this tortured musical genius and declare him well done, let's reserve judgement (an alien concept for us, but we're open to it) on his overhyped comeback. There may be life in this old dog yet...
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Pictured: Michael Jackson. Photo / AP
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She wanted to keep things under wraps, but got very excited.