Jacko 'in shape' at final rehearsal

2 July 2009 09:08pm

Footage of Michael Jackson performing some of his most famous hits for the final time has been released.

The King of Pop looked well and his voice sounded strong as he danced around the stage during rehearsals at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

The star - who died on June 25 from a suspected cardiac arrest - was preparing for his 50-night residency at London's O2 Arena, which was set to begin later this month.

Jackson's friend Uri Geller said the footage raised a "big question" about what prompted the singer's dramatic demise.

"The question is, what happened from that point to the day that he died?" said Geller. "In the photographs I've seen, he looked in shape, he was smiling, he was happy. What happened? That's the big question."

Kevin Mazur, the photographer who captured some of Jackson's final moments on camera at the rehearsals, said the star appeared to be back to his best and had an "incredible energy".

Mr Mazur, co-founder of WireImage, said: "When he hit that stage, everyone was just mesmerised."

The photographer said Jackson was happy and joking with the dancers as he rehearsed.

Mr Mazur said Jackson performed his set for 90 minutes until nearly midnight on June 23.

"He was totally there - 100 per cent there in fact," said Mr Mazur. "You would never suspect this would have ever happened - especially after his performance on stage."

© The Press Association