MJ’s tests for O2 gigs must have been on Nasa astronaut’s body, joke insurers

LONDON - The insurers of late Michael Jackson’s planned 50 O2 concerts, entangled in a multi-million pound row with the shows’ promoters, thought that the medical examination declaring the singer fit for his comeback tour might have been conducted on “the body of a Nasa astronaut”.

London-based insurers Robertson Taylor claimed that the singer’s medical examination results did not mention his widely-known medical troubles, including a singed scalp, plastic surgery or broken leg.

Insurance bosses say that after they had received the medical report, and before they signed a deal with the concerts’ promoters AEG, they arranged for their own tests to be carried out.

They claim that they had even sent a medic to LA to examine Jackson, but the signer said that he was unable to see him.

Though a deal insuring an initial number of the London gigs was signed, it was only subject to the condition that the singer should be examined in the UK.

Bosses at the insurance firm insisted on being at Jacko’s scheduled stage rehearsal on July 10 at the O2, and wanted to do a full examination next day.

However, Jackson died after the insurance deal had been signed, but before the “subject to” details were ratified, leading to a dispute.

Legal papers also showed the singer only ever wanted to perform at 10 London gigs, and sources close to the final deal suggested that he was “bullied” into agreeing to 50 shows.

However, according to the Mirror, a spokesman for AEG said: “AEG did not hire any doctor at any time in connection with securing insurance. Dr. David Slavit performed the medical exam which was submitted to the insurers as part of their underwriting.”

He added: “AEG has never received a copy of Dr. Slavit’s medical exam. A second medical examination was scheduled in the UK when the tour arrived. The policy was issued in a fictitious name.”

The New York-based plastic surgeon has been subject to a search warrant by the Los Angeles coroner who is investigating Jackson’s death, reports the paper. (ANI)