Creator of The Sandman says Michael Jackson wanted the lead role

Michael Jackson was taking pills in the lead-up to his death. The chart-topper told the US Sun how the iconic singer had wanted to put on the “greatest show on earth” for his fans as he prepared for his 2009 London concert residency before his untimely death and his excitement had stopped him from being able to sleep.Akon, 49, has now admitted that he believes MJ's obsession with work contributed to the overdose of anaesthetic Propofol and benzodiazepines that led to his death in June 2009. READ MORE: Inside Michael Jackson's death - secret will, 'Doctor Death' and brutal snub to ex The Locked Up singer has spoken out ahead of the release of a new documentary which looks in detail at the circumstances surrounding Michael's death.Akon said: “He was so happy and excited that he was about to go to London and lock these 50 dates in and remind the world who he was and what his value was to pop music.“He didn’t even sleep.

Janet Jackson wore an eye-catching ensemble while attending Harlem's Fashion Row 15th anniversary fashion show and style awards after party on Tuesday.The That's the Way Love Goes hitmaker, 56, paired a tiered tan tulle skirt with a black blazer and a red and navy T-shirt for the event, which took place in New York City.The sister of late pop star Michael Jackson also received the ICON of the Year Award from founder Brandice Daniel.   Head turner: Janet Jackson wore an eye-catching ensemble while attending Harlem's Fashion Row 15th Anniversary Fashion Show And Style Awards after party on TuesdayJanet accessorized her look with a variety of intriguing jewelry pieces, including ultra large tear-drop silver earrings and chunky white bangle bracelets.  She wore her black tresses partly braided and styled into a voluminous halfway updo that cascaded down her back.The singer highlighted her natural beauty with just a touch of makeup, wearing big lashes and nude lipstick.  Beauty: The That's the Way Love Goes hitmaker, 56, paired a tiered tan tulle skirt with a black blazer and a red and navy T-shirt for the event, which took place in New York City Intriguing: Janet accessorized her look with a variety of intriguing jewelry pieces, including ultra large tear-drop silver earrings and chunky white bangle bracelets Janet met up with Brandice on the red carpet where the two women posed together. The CEO showed off her toned legs in a metallic mini white dress which she paired with silver heels and matching earrings. Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR) officially opened New York Fashion Week in partnership with LVMH on Tuesday.

TMZ Investigates: Who Really Killed Michael Jackson,” detailing how she once worked for famed Hollywood dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein, who gave the pop king Demerol — an addictive and powerful opioid. “I was basically as bad as [Klein],” Rowe, 63, shockingly states in the doc — airing tonight on Fox.

Debbie Rowe breaks down in tears as she discusses her ex-husband Michael Jackson’s drug addiction in a candid new documentary.

Michael Jackson died aged 50 from cardiac arrest caused by an overdose of sedatives.

MICHAEL Jackson’s former wife shockingly hints she was partly to blame for his death. In a US documentary Debbie Rowe, 63, weeps as she says she could have done more when he got hooked on painkillers.

Michael Jackson’s ex-wife has hinted at her role in his tragic death. In a new American documentary, Michael’s ex-wife Debbie 63, told viewers she could’ve done more when he was addicted to painkillers.

Michael Jackson, died at his home in Los Angeles on June 25 2009, following a heart attack caused by a combination of drugs supplied by his doctor, Conrad Murray. Michael Jackson started his music career as a member of the Jackson 5, which was founded by his father Joe Jackson and siblings Marlon, Jackie, Tito and Jermaine.

Paris Jackson looked like a woman on a mission as she drove around Los Angeles on her matte brown Vespa scooter on Wednesday.Wearing a cream-colored tank top that showed off her lean tattooed arms and black leggings, the musician put safety first by wearing a pale yellow helmet.The 24-year-old daughter of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, had a busy week as she appeared on the cover of Flaunt Magazine Wednesday and released a Spin Magazine live performance session. On a roll: Paris Jackson looked like a woman on a mission as she drove around Los Angeles on her matte brown Vespa scooter on WednesdayBoth editorial pieces delved into the background of Jackson’s musical foundation and her evolution to become a star.Jackson’s live performance of her song Bandaid on the Spin Sessions site marks the first of many to come for the musician who hails from a family of musical royalty.

Michael Jackson has prevented the potential sale of the singer’s property, which they deem had been stolen from his home just after his death.TMZ obtained legal documents that confirmed a judge had issued a preliminary injunction barring Jeffre Phillips from selling items that he had allegedly removed from Michael Jackson’s residence in 2009.The pop singer’s estate claimed that Phillips had been engaged to one of MJ's siblings at the time and had taken advantage of the “chaos and sadness around Michael’s death” to take personal and private items from Carolwood House, where Michael Jackson resided before he passed away.READ MORE: Inside Michael Jackson's death - secret will, 'Doctor Death' and brutal snub to exThe estate claimed that Phillips had taken items including Michael’s iPhone, his California driver’s license, some prescription pill bottles with pills inside and a collection of handwritten notes, during his nine-day stay at Carolwood House. He also stole clothes, including the pyjamas that Michael was wearing in the final hours before his death.In addition, his estate said that Phillips had also taken a resuscitator tube that may have been used on Michael.Michael Jackson passed away in his home in Los Angeles, on June 25, 2009, after suffering a cardiac arrest.For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.The 50-year-old King of Pop’s death was caused by a fatal concoction of drugs, including propofol and benzodiazepine.It had been found that his personal in-house doctor, Conrad Murray, had administered the drugs to him, in order to treat the singer's struggle with insomnia.

Michael Jackson's estate scored a legal victory Tuesday in its attempts to stop a man who spent time in one of the singer's homes from selling allegedly stolen items.A judge has issued a preliminary injunction forbidding Jeffre Phillips from selling any items he took from Jackson's home in 2009, court documents obtained by TMZ reveal.Phillips, who is the former fiancé of Michael's sister La Toya Jackson, 66, has been accused by the late singer's estate of stealing items from Jackson's home shortly after his death on June 25, 2009, at age 50.  Legal victory: Michael Jackson's estate won a preliminary injunction preventing a man formerly engaged to his sister La Toya Jackson from selling items he allegedly stole from Jackson's mansion after his death in 2009 at age 50; seen in 2005The estate has accused Phillips of rummaging through Jackson's Carolwood estate in the commotion following his shocking death, which was allegedly aided by his connection to La Toya.According to the estate, Phillips was able to steal multiple personal and intimate items while staying at the home for nine days.

Michael Jackson’s two oldest kids are remembering the late star on what would have been his 64th birthday.

Ethan Shanfeld In 1996, Michael Jackson paraded the globe with the HIStory World Tour, playing 82 shows for over 4.5 million fans. But that same year, the King of Pop apparently had his sights set on an entirely different gig: playing Morpheus in a television adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman.” “By 1996, I was being taken to Warners, where the then-president of Warner Bros sat me down and told me that Michael Jackson had phoned him the day before and asked him if he could star as Morpheus in ‘The Sandman,’” Gaiman said on Josh Horowitz’s “Happy Sad Confused” podcast. “So, there was a lot of interest in this, and they knew that it was one of the Crown Jewels, and what did I think? And I was like, ‘Ooh.’”

Michael Jackson's children have paid tribute to the singer on what would have been his 64th birthday.The singer's two oldest children, Paris and Prince Jackson, posted photos from their childhood with their famous father to their Instagram accounts Monday.  Prince, 25, wrote next to a picture of his dad feeding him as a baby, 'Happy birthday to the greatest!' Birthday salute: Michael Jackson's children have paid tribute to the singer on what would have been his 64th birthday by sharing some pictures from their childhood with their late superstar fatherThe humanitarian and activist also shared images of of all three of the Jackson kids at various celebrations, including ones with birthday hats and Christmas trees. Prince, who was only 12 when his father passed away, added, 'Miss you more and more but I love you more and more with each day.

The Sandman creator Neil Gaiman has revealed Michael Jackson had wanted to be cast as Morpheus.Gaiman discussed the early iterations of the Netflix project in the 1990s, adapting his comic book series which ran from 1989 to 1996.In an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gaiman said: “By 1996, I was being taken to Warners, where the then-president of Warner Bros sat me down and told me that Michael Jackson had phoned him the day before and asked him if he could star as Morpheus in The Sandman.He continued: “So, there was a lot of interest in this and they knew that it was one of the Crown Jewels and what did I think? And I was like, ‘Ooh.’”In the Netflix adaptation recently released, Tom Sturridge plays Morpheus.

Read more: Woman with 'Michael Jackson phobia' sobs as she's triggered by impersonatorBut behind the facade, the reality of Bubbles' life wasn't always so simple. It has been alleged that Bubbles was beaten when he was living with Jackson. Jane Goodall, the world's top primatologist, claims that the chimp was kicked and punched in the face.When she tried to talk to the popstar about it, Goodall said that he flew off the handle.

Michael Jackson’s birthday. Born August 29, 1958, the singer, songwriter, and dancer known as the “King of Pop” would be celebrating his 64th birthday.

Siblings Paris and Prince Jackson both paid tribute to their late father on what would have been his 64th birthday on Monday, posting childhood throwback photos to their respective Instagram accounts.

pop legend Michael Jackson’s death in late June of 2009.The 50-year-old “Thriller” vocalist was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home after suffering cardiac arrest brought on by the anesthetic propofol — a drug reportedly routinely administered by Jackson’s physician, Conrad Murray.The death was ruled a homicide and Murray took all the blame. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison, serving just under two behind bars.