LONDON - MICHAEL Jackson returned to the spotlight on Thursday after eight years marked more by scandal than by song and told a crowd of screaming fans that he would play a series of London engagements - his first concerts since 2001.

Wearing his trademark sunglasses and a silver-embroidered black military-style jacket, the King of Pop said his series of shows in July will be his 'final curtain call' in the British capital.

'This is it,' Jackson said in a brief statement punctuated by the squeals of fans who gathered inside the massive O2 Arena in south-east London. 'And when I say this is it, I mean this is it.'

Although Jackson said the shows would be his last in London, his statement left the door open for further concerts elsewhere.

Promoter AEG Live told the BBC the shows might be part of a bigger, final world tour.

An hour and a half late, Jackson appeared at the O2 - where the series of 10 concerts are due to be staged this summer - to announce the gigs.

More than 300 journalists had been marshalled to capture the event, even though news of the concerts had leaked out to the media days before. A telegenic army of screaming fans was there to greet their star - although many in the crowd said they were there to catch a live show due to play shortly after the announcement.

The hours spent waiting frayed some tempers and a few fans shouted obscenities at journalists being escorted in ahead of them for the announcement. But most were just happy to catch a glimpse of Jackson.

'I've always been a fan ever since I was really little - his music and the way he moves,' said 21-year-old student Shellie Watson. When asked if Jackson - who was almost Watson's age when he released Thriller in 1982 - still had star power, she said '100 per cent.'

Thriller is still the best-selling album of all time, but Jackson - who has sold more than 750 million albums and won 13 Grammys - has not performed a major concert since 2001.

Tickets priced between 50 pounds and 75 pounds (S$165), are expected to sell quickly for the shows, despite concerns the 50-year-old star may not be up for a return to the spotlight. -- AP