LONDON - Lou Ferrigno, the “Incredible Hulk” star who was training Michael Jackson for his gruelling 50-date London tour, has claimed the singer was killed by the weight of his $400 million debt.

He said the only reason Jackson, who died last month in Los Angeles, was going back on stage was to clear his debt.

He was under tremendous stress, so much (that) I think it killed him. He was $400 million in debt. In the past he had backed out of doing live shows but this time he was under the gun. The debts put a huge strain on him, mirror.co.uk quoted Ferrigno as saying.

Ferrigno and Jackson, both 50, first met through a mutual friend in 1995. After that, they met several times. In April, Jackson asked Ferrigno to help him prepare for his London comeback concerts.

Ferrigno would visit his rented Bel Air mansion three times a week to put Jackson through his paces.

He had undergone a five-hour medical test in February and had passed with flying colours, but he wanted to be fitter, said Ferrigno.

He ate only one meal a day, always in the evening. Hed wake up and not have anything for the whole day, and when he did eat it was always vegetarian.

Ferrigno said the singers fitness was improving all the time.

I was with him until the end of May and he was fine. There was no sign of drug use and his flexibility was improving. That was important as he was a little tight in certain areas. He hadnt danced for so long, he said.

Jacko always liked to work out while listening to music - The Beatles and the Mamas & the Papas were particular favourites. Ferrigno revealed the legendary dancer even taught him the Moonwalk during breaks.

We talked, had conversations about life and different things, he said. There was no security, no bodyguards, nobody around. He didnt want anyone around when he worked out. We took regular breaks and he would show me his dance moves. They were awesome.”