Washington, Mar 6 : The president of the company promoting Michael Jackson's comeback gigs has hit out at media over ill-health rumours, insisting the King of Pop is `very sane, very focused and very healthy'.

The `Thriller' hitmaker confirmed his upcoming comeback tour at a press conference in London, revealing he will play 10 shows at the city''s O2 Stadium in July (09).

The singer hasn''t played a full concert since 2001 and has been dogged by rumours of ill health over the last few years.

However, AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke, whose company is presenting the This Is It gigs at the O2 Arena, said that the residency has been several years in the planning - insisting Jackson would not take to the stage unless he is completely competent.

"The man is very sane, the man is very focused, the man is very healthy. I think he has been dragged through the mud," Contactmusic quoted him, as saying.

"Despite everything you read about him, he was fine. The man took a physical for us to go do these concerts.

"We spent two years working with Michael trying to get him comfortable with this," he added. (ANI)