Jackson 'can't do more than 12 gigs'

Pete Waterman has claimed that Michael Jackson will not be able to play more than 12 consecutive concerts during his anticipated O2 residency.

Jackson is holding a press conference at the venue today and it has been predicted that he could eventually confirm anything from 30 to 50 performances.

Pop svengali Waterman told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the star would not be healthy enough to play so many shows.

He said: "That's gonna be the problem Michael's gonna have. He hasn't done it for so long and the reports are he wants to do 50 nights.

"Well, I should get your tickets early because he probably won't make 12. I would have thought - seriously - that's the problem."

Jackson has reportedly undergone 50 medical tests to ensure that he is fit enough for the shows.