Michael Jackson needed shrink for shows, says stage boss

A stage manager helping to prepare Michael Jackson's ill-fated comeback shows warned organisers the Thriller legend would need psychiatric help to perform and said he would "fall on his a**" if he tried his trademark dance moves.

Jackson was preparing to undergo a gruelling 50-night run at London's O2 Arena in 2009 but died from an accidental drug overdose just weeks before the concerts were scheduled to begin.

His mother Katherine is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against bosses of AEG Live, alleging her son was not in a fit condition to undertake the run of concerts, and lawyers have produced an email showing there were concerns the pop superstar could not even perform his legendary dance routines.

Stage manager John Hougdahl revealed Jackson physically deteriorated "in front of my eyes" during eight weeks of rehearsals, and was in such poor shape mentally and physically that he would need a psychiatrist and a personal trainer in order to go through with the gigs.

In the email, read to jurors at the Los Angeles court hearing, Hougdahl wrote, "I have watched him deteriorate in front of my eyes over the last eight weeks. My laymen's degree tells me he needs a shrink to get mentally prepared to get on stage and then a trainer to get him in physical shape.

"He used to do multiple 360 spins back in April. He'd fall on his a** if he tried now."