Michael Jackson was "despondent" and "emotionally paralysed" before announcing his planned series of comeback shows, according to emails sent between the promoter of the concerts.

The Los Angeles Times have obtained 250 pages of emails which were sent as Jackson prepared to play a series of shows at London's O2 Arena in 2009.

The King of Pop died before the gigs took place but the emails show that the concert promoters were unsure over the singer's wellbeing.

One email that was sent on the day of Jackson's comeback announcement by AEG promoter Randy Phillips to his boss said:

"MJ is locked in his room drunk and despondent. I [am] trying to sober him up."

He continued: "I screamed at him so loud the walls are shaking. He is an emotionally paralysed mess riddled with self loathing and doubt now that it is show time."

Jackson did appear in person to announce his comeback shows, but arrived 90 minutes later than expected.