London  - US superstar Michael Jackson announced his comeback Thursday with a series of "curtail call" shows in London in July.

The 50-year-old star, looking frail and appearing unsteady, had travelled to the British capital to make the announcement at the O2 Arena in south-east London, where the concerts will be performed.

"I love you so much," he told some 2,000 screaming fans, as he swayed and spoke indistinctly, his face hidden behind a pair of outsize sun glasses.

A press release said the star would give 10 performances in London, starting on July 8.

"I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear," said Jackson, acknowledging the applause from his fans with smiles and laughter.

"This is it. This is really it. This is the final curtain call. See you in July," he said during his two-minute appearance, which had been billed as a news conference.

Media reports had earlier spoken of "up to 50" gigs that would earn the indebted superstar 100 million pounds (141 million dollars).

His agency said ticket prices would range from 50 to 75 pounds.

Jackson, one of the best-selling artists of all time, performed his last world tour - the History tour - in 1996 and 1997, and gave his last live performance in Britain at the 2006 Music Awards.

The singer has kept a low profile since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges and has spent time living outside the United States.

His last studio album was released in 2001. British media have reported that Jackson is planning the release of a new album to accompany his comeback series.

There was immediate speculation over the motive behind the singer's announcement, and his stamina for a concert series of this kind, given his recent ill-health.

Reports said Jackson had more than 100 million pounds in debt and was currently clearing out his Neverland ranch for an auction next month.

Some critics claimed that Jackson would only play in London to rebuild his battered finances, while others doubted whether the former superstar could still draw the crowds.

But Jacqueline Springer, a pop music critic, said she believed the concerts would be a sell-out, simply because they would most likely be the "last chance" to see Jackson on stage.

"People will shell out despite the economic crisis," she said. "Nothing beats seeing a legend in the flesh." (dpa)