Singer Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50, according to reports in the United States.

Paramedics were called to his home in Los Angeles at lunchtime on Thursday after he suffered a suspected heart attack.

He was taken to a local hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, reported the Los Angeles Times and other respected news organisations.

Jackson, one of the biggest stars in the history of pop music, was due to stage a series of sell-out concerts in London starting on 13 July.

But he had a history of health problems and there were doubts over his ability to complete the gruelling tour schedule he had set himself.

Jackson was a singing star for more than four decades, starting his pop career before he even became a teenager as he performed with family group The Jackson 5.

He grew up to become the biggest selling solo artist in the world with smash hit albums "Thriller" (1983) and "Bad" (1987).

But his personal life was troubled and rarely far from controversy and in recent years he had also encountered financial problems. The tour dates in London were arranged to help him tackle his debts.

Jackson has rarely performed in public since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges and his last studio album was in 2001.

His last live performance in Britain was at the 2006 World Music Awards, where he performed some lines from We Are The World.

Jackson is survived by three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.