Michael Jackson, singer, songwriter, performer and perhaps the most famous pop star of modern times, died last night less than a fortnight before he was due to start a record-breaking 50-concert tour in Britain.

Jackson was rushed to hospital in Los Angeles from his home in the Bel Air district while paramedics tried to restart his heart after a suspected cardiac arrest.

Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller sold 57 million copies, making it the biggest selling record of all time.

The follow-up albums — Bad in 1987 and Dangerous in 1991 — each sold 23 million copies. His total album sales by 2005 had exceeded 130 million.

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Michael Jackson's twinkling feet scarcely seemed to touch the stage

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A member of Jackson’s staff placed an emergency call at about midday local time summoning paramedics to the $100,000-a-month rented mansion where Jackson had been living with his three young children.

His sister LaToya was seen running into the hospital weeping.

Jackson had been due in Britain next month to play his first concert in London on July 13. On May 20 he delayed the opening four nights of his record-breaking UK comeback tour of 50 concerts at the O2 Arena because he said he needed more time for dress rehearsals.

However, rumours had swirled around the delayed tour, including suggestions that Jackson was ill-prepared for such an exhausting schedule and that he was contracted to appear for only a matter of minutes each night. The tickets for the entire tour had sold out within hours.

Ill-health dogged his career, and his reputation was severely damaged by allegations of child abuse levelled in 1993 and 2005, yet his fan base remained devoted.

A week ago a publicist for Jackson’s brother Tito hinted at more serious medical problems, saying that Jackson’s tour would probably be scrapped. “Michael is not mentally, physically or spiritually ready for these shows. There’s something missing in his soul,” he said.

In his rare public appearances, Jackson often appeared frail and nervous. Last month he was said to have undergone tests for skin cancer that showed up cancerous patches on his neck and pre-cancerous cells in his face, although his promoter, Randy Phillips, denied the claims at the time, saying: “There is nothing wrong with him, he is in fantastic shape.”

The music producer Quincy Jones said early this morning: “I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news,” adding that Jackson “had it all — talent, grace, professionalism and dedication.

“I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him,” he added.

To gain insurance for the concerts Jackson underwent a four-hour medical examination, after which he was declared to be in good health.

Hundreds of fans, many in tears, converged last night on the UCLA Medical Centre where Jackson was rushed after reportedly going into cardiac arrest. Others gathered near Jackson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

More than £50 million worth of tickets had been sold for the British concerts, which would have been Jackson’s first solo performances for 12 years. His deal with AEG Live included an option to extend the concerts with dates throughout Europe, Asia and North America over the next three years.

A post-mortem examination and toxicology tests will be carried out on Jackson’s body by the Los Angeles coroner.

The star was described as “unresponsive” when paramedics arrived at his home, and he was transported to the hospital by ambulance “in full cardiac arrest”. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2.25 pm local time.

A spokesman for the coroner’s investigation unit said that there was no indication of foul play or drug use “at this point”.

Jackson’s brother Jermaine, acting as the family’s spokesman, said that that emergency doctors and cardiologists had attempted to revive Jackson for an hour without success.

“May our love be with you always Michael,” Jermaine Jackson said, close to tears. “My brother, the legendary King of Pop Michael Jackson, died on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 2.26pm. It is believed that he suffered cardiac arrest in his home.

“The cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy. His personal physician who was with him at the time attempted to resuscitate my brother, as did the paramedics who transported him to UCLA Medical Centre.”

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