London, July 31 - Pop legend Michael Jackson was in advanced talks with a space scientist in a desperate bid to do his famous moonwalk on the moon before he died, says his friend.

The singer wanted to beat his rivals into space by actually making it first to the moon to do his famous dance move in a $1.97 billion project, reported newsoftheworld.co.uk.

'He wanted to be the first pop star in space so badly. He had to be first. He knew it wouldn't only be history-making, it would be history-shattering,' said Jackson's close friend Uri Geller.

'It was unbelievable the determination he had. It was a burning desire to walk on the moon,' he added.

But the plan was thwarted after Jackson was arrested and charged with child molestation, spiralling him into a world of depression and drug abuse that meant he was unfit for space travel.

Jackson died June 25 in his Los Angeles home.