Jackson's court date off after deal

Michael Jackson reached an out-of-court settlement with an Arab sheikh over a multi-million pound court action, a spokeswoman said.

The pop superstar was expected to appear at the High Court in London on Monday to give evidence in a case against the King of Bahrain's son, Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who claimed the singer owed him £4.7 million.

But spokeswoman Celena Aponte, of The Outside Organisation Ltd, said: "As Mr Jackson was about to board his plane to London, he was advised by his legal team to postpone his travels since the parties had concluded a settlement in principle. Therefore, he will not be attending court on Monday."

Jackson, 50, was invited with his children and entourage to Bahrain by Sheikh Abdulla shortly after the star was acquitted of child molestation charges in California.