Michael Jackson was allegedly drunk at his 2009 press call to announce his This Is It tour, and was drinking up to six bottles of wine a day in his final weeks, according to a friend of the late singer.
Mark Lester - who starred in 'Oliver!' as a child - told The Sun how he used to smuggle his close pal alcohol to help with his insomnia, and claimed he was "paralytic" before he appeared on stage to introduce his comeback shows four years ago.
"Michael passed out on the hotel bed. His doctor said he'd drunk two-thirds of a bottle of whisky and was paralytic," he told the paper.
"He sobered up enough to struggle through the This Is It speech, which he just about got away with."
Michael died just three months later of an overdose, with his doctor, Conrad Murray, found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
A civil trial surrounding Michael's death is about to begin in the US, as the Jackson family attempt to prove that AEG Live - the company promoting his comeback tour - is responsible for his death, claiming they hired and controlled Murray.
Sky News reports that the court will hear detailed accounts of his final months, with his children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, listed as potential witnesses.
Michael Jackson Press Conference at the 02 Arena
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(01 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena, during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(02 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for summer shows at the O2 Arena at a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(03 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(04 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(05 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(06 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(07 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(08 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(09 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(10 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(11 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena, during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(12 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena, during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(13 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena, during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(14 of27)
Michael Jackson announces plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena, during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a p(15 of27)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a p(16 of27)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a p(17 of27)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a p(18 of27)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US popstar Michael Jackson gestures as h(19 of27)
US popstar Michael Jackson gestures as he addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US popstar Michael Jackson shows some da(20 of27)
US popstar Michael Jackson shows some dance moves as he addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fans take pictures of an electronic scre(21 of27)
Fans take pictures of an electronic screen projecting a press conference by US popstar Michael Jackson at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a p(22 of27)
US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US popstar Michael Jackson (C) addresses(23 of27)
US popstar Michael Jackson (C) addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(24 of27)
Dermot O'Leary on stage prior to Michael Jackson announcing plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Fans take pictures of an electronic scre(25 of27)
Fans take pictures of an electronic screen projecting a press conference by US popstar Michael Jackson at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(26 of27)
Dermot O'Leary on stage prior to Michael Jackson announcing plans for his last performances in London in July at the O2 Arena during a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)
Michael Jackson Press Conference - The 02 Arena(27 of27)
Michael Jackson hugs presenter Dermot O'Leary as the singer announces plans for summer shows at the O2 Arena at a press conference held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. (credit:PA)