michael jacksonMichael Jackson is reportedly wheelchair-bound at least part of the time due to ill-health.

The singer, wearing pyjamas and slippers as well as his usual hat, shades and surgical mask, was recently photographed being wheeled into a Las Vegas bookshop by his minder and an onlooker told the Sun: “There are constant rumours of a Michael Jackson comeback but it was shocking to see that in reality he is a shadow of his former self.

“He seemed too weak even to get out of the chair to cross the road himself. He stayed in the store for two hours and wheeled himself around in the chair the whole time.

“The skin on his hands was peeling, almost like a snake’s. He kept his mask on all the time. His security man was at his side and nobody approached him. It is really sad.

“To be honest, he looked a bit weird wheeling himself around covered up in a surgeon’s mask and that is probably what freaked people out to not want to approach him.”

A source close to the star added that the situation isn’t uncommon: “He has days when he is fine but others when he feels listless and too weak to walk. Then he calls for the wheelchair.

“Usually on those days he also refuses to get dressed, spending all day in his pyjamas.

“There’s huge interest in a comeback, but there are doubts that Jacko can pull it off. He isn’t strong enough - mentally or physically.”

The star, who turns 50 this year, has been plagued with a number of health problems over the last fews years, including rumours that he’s been diagnosed with lupus and also intermittent problems with his back.