Michael Jackson - Ferrigno: 'Jackson's Debt Stress Killed Him'

The stress of a $400 million (£266 million) debt claimed MICHAEL JACKSON's life, according to former THE INCREDIBLE HULK star LOU FERRIGNO.

The Thriller hitmaker passed away last month (25Jun09) after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home, amid rumours he was battling an addiction to prescription drugs.

The bodybuilder had been hired to train the King Of Pop for his 50-date residency, due to kick off in London later this month (Jul09).

Ferrigno believes the superstar only agreed to the shows to pay off his staggering debt - and it was the stress of his financial woes, and not drugs, that eventually took his life.

The buff actor insists there was no sign of drug abuse when he visited the singer to help him get fit.

He explains, "He was under tremendous stress, so much I think it killed him. The debts put a huge strain on him. In the past Michael backed out of live shows but this time he was under the gun. He was $400 million in debt."

And Ferrigno maintains the 50 year old was remarkably fit: "He showed me his dance moves and they were awesome. He was still in great shape dance-wise. He was still as good as 15 years ago."