Late pop icon Michael Jackson was a "vulnerable man" in a "financial crisis" when he died, his former physician Conrad Murray has claimed.

The "Thriller" hitmaker passed away in June 2009 due to acute propofol intoxication and Murray claims he couldn't cope with the prospect of performing 50 shows at the O2 Arena are, which were due to take place later that year, reports dailystar.co.uk.

Murray — who was jailed for four years for the involuntary manslaughter of Jackson — said: "He despised those shows, he didn't even want to come to London. All he wanted was to be alone.

"He was not ready mentally or physically to do those shows. He was determined to find a way out," he said, adding, "Did he want to die? I can't tell you but I can say he was a very vulnerable man who was in a financial crisis and he didn't have the energy to perform. He knew that".

Murray — who has authored a tell-all book, "This Is It!: The Secret lives of Dr. Conrad Murray and Michael Jackson" — says the father-of-three lived a very sad existence as he struggled to cope with being the world's most famous man.

"I felt sorry for Michael. Unlike the rest of us he couldn't walk down the street. He had to hide away, he had no freedom. He was sad beyond measure... a recluse," he added.