Michael Jackson returned to the stage on Thursday after eight years marked by more scandal than music-making. The King of Pop told a crowd of screaming fans he will play a series of London concerts before retiring from performing.

US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London. to announce he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade.[Carl de Souza/CCTV/AFP]

Jackson made his announcement at the O2 Arena- where the series of 10 concerts will be staged this summer. He was wearing his trademark sunglasses and a silver-embroidered black military-style jacket.

Michael Jackson, singer, said, "I just want to say that these, these will be my final show performances in London. This will be it, and when is say this it really means this is it because (laughs). I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. This is it, I mean this is really it, this is the final, this is the final curtain call. OK, and I'll see you in July."

The King of Pop has not performed a major concert since 2001, and has been plagued by financial, legal, and medical woes for years.

Jackson's last live performance in Britain was at the 2006 World Music Awards, but he only managed a few lines before leaving the stage.