LONDON, ENGLAND - The stress of a hugely-anticipated series of comeback shows in London caused Michael Jackson's death, his close friend Uri Geller, the spoon-bending psychic, said Thursday.

Geller, who lives in Britain, said Jackson was desperate to prove to the world that he was still a superstar despite child abuse allegations which had seriously damaged his career.

The paranormalist described the scale of Jackson's planned comeback shows - some 50 concerts at London's O2 Arena, which were due to start in July - as "just scary".

"He wanted to prove to the world that he is number one, that he is still Michael Jackson, that he can still deliver a thriller," Geller told BBC radio.

"The anticipation, the stress levels, the anxiety for what was coming up in London was so huge... I believe that that stopped his heart".

Jackson had stayed with Geller at his home in Sonning, Berkshire, west of London, repeatedly and was best man when Geller renewed his wedding vows in 2001.

Geller said he was "shocked and devastated" by Jackson's death, saying he was "hoping this is a dream I will wake up from".

"I had my rows and up and downs with him because we were friends," he said.

"I voiced my opinion about what he was doing wrong and found myself shouting at him at certain times, but when this person you were so close to is taken away, is gone, it's just unbelievable."