Jackson ordered to pay £3m

Michael Jackson has been ordered to pay more than £3million for cancelling two concerts.

A jury in California made the award to German pop promoter Marcel Avram, who originally claimed nearly £15million.

Later, the singer's lawyer called the verdict a victory because of the reduced award.

"He's fine with it," said Zia Modabber. "He stood up for himself and went to trial and Mr Avram didn't get nearly what he wanted."

The opening days of the trial marked the beginning of one of the most difficult times in the troubled singer's life.

He shocked the world when the judge made him to take off his mask, revealing the ravages of plastic surgery, including skin peeling from his bandaged nose and bleached skin. Shortly after, Jackson held his youngest son Prince Michael II over the balcony of a German hotel.

The singer was said to have agreed to a series of 1999 shows in Seoul, South Korea and Munich, followed by millennium concerts in Australia and Hawaii. Mr Avram said he tried to renegotiate his contract and then backed out of concerts in Sidney and Honolulu.

But his lawyers may appeal the award because the judge refused to allow the jury to consider other debts of Jackson to the promoter, including a Korean company he took over. He also claimed to have paid Jackson an £8 million advance for the four shows.

He is also being sued by Sotheby's in New York, with the auction house claiming they are still owed nearly £1 million for two 19th century paintings he successfully bid for.