Michael Jackson has been hit by two lawsuits as he prepares for a comeback series of concerts in London.

His former publicist, who stood by Jackson during his trial and acquittal on child sex abuse charges, has filed a $44 million (£30 million) lawsuit against the “King of Pop” for failing to honour a contract for her services.

Raymone Bain, who went on to become his personal business manager, filed a breach of contract civil lawsuit against the singer in Washington DC.

She said in a statement that she had decided “with deep regret” to sue Jackson, describing him as someone “whom I have greatly admired and respected”.

She added: “Unfortunately Mr Jackson has elected not to honour the financial obligations of our contractual relationship despite my numerous attempts to amicably resolve this matter. I am sincerely disappointed in Mr Jackson’s failure to honour his obligations.”

Ms Bain saw Jackson through some of the most difficult moments in his career. She became his public voice for much of the lengthy child molestation trial in California, Jackson’s subsequent stays in Bahrain and Ireland and the financial difficulties that resulted in the sale of his Neverland ranch in California last year.

In 2006 Ms Bain was appointed general manager of the Michael Jackson Company, which handles his business affairs.

She said in the lawsuit that she was hired as a spokeswoman in 2003 and that from 2006 she ran every aspect of Jackson’s life including arranging housing, emergency refinancing, travel and security and scheduling meetings with record producers as the singer struggled to re-establish his music career.

Jackson’s current spokesman, Dr Tohme K. Tohme, did not return calls for comment.

After years of living as a virtual recluse, Jackson recently announced a run of comeback concerts at the former Millennium Dome in Greenwich in London, starting in July. All have sold out. The star, now 50, is due to play 50 shows running until next February. He has not performed a full concert since the conclusion of his 1998 HIStory world tour.

Ms Bain’s lawsuit cited media reports that suggested that the London concert deal, which she said she had helped to negotiate, was worth $400 million in revenue to Jackson.

Ms Bain claimed that Jackson had agreed to pay her 10 per cent of any deals he entered into as a result of her help but had not done so. She is asking for $44 million in damages, plus lawyers’ fees.

Raymone Bain is now a spokeswoman for the public relations firm Davis, Bain & Associates, based in Washington. She has represented several high-profile clients, including Serena Williams, the musical group Boyz II Men and the estate of the late Sammy Davis Jr.

Jackson is also being sued by Ola Ray, who played his girlfriend in the legendary Thriller video. The actress filed a lawsuit in Santa Monica, California, claiming that she did not receive her due royalties for her part in the zombie hit.

Ms Ray, 48, wants her “fair share of payments from this extremely successful project that she’s very proud of”, her lawyer told the New York Daily News.

Ms Ray and Ms Bain join a long line of former advisers, accountants and friends who have sued Jackson over broken contracts and unpaid bills. Most of the lawsuits have been settled out of court.

A son of the king of Bahrain reached an out-of-court settlement with the star in November over claims that the singer had reneged on a recording contract and owed him $7 million.

Earlier this year director John Landis, who wrote and shot the Thriller mini-movie, sued Jackson for back royalties on the project.

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