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Jackson never returned to the Neverland ranch after the trial. Instead he spent time out of the spotlight living in the Middle East and Las Vegas while rumours of his impending bankruptcy and failing health spread. However, on 5 March he returned to the public eye to announce his first live shows in 12 years, a 50-date residency at the O2 arena entitled This Is It. Secret rehearsals were under-way at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles. Tales of elephants, bejewelled dance troupes and huge vocal choirs filtered out and promoters promised a show the likes of which had never been seen. Madonna's manager confirmed the singer would be making appearances on the show, the rest of the Jackson 5 and their little sister Janet were rumoured to be performing too. Sadly we'll never know what Jackson had in store. Just 17 days before his first show Michael suffered a suspected heart failure in his Bel Air home, paramedics were unable to revive him. Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26pm on 25 June 2009.

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