Michael Jackson has been rushed to a hospital emergency in Santa Maria, California, after being found suffering from the flu, hence delaying his child molestation trial till next week.

The singer, 46, who was described as "very, very ill" by his lawyer, was being driven from his Neverland Ranch to the court in Santa Maria when his car was diverted to the emergency department of Marian Medical Centre.

Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, said that the singer had started to feel ill on Monday. According to him, Jackson had appeared tense and strained during the hearing then.

Judge Rodney Melville, who is handling the case, announced Tuesday that the singer would recover in "three to four days".

"It seems to me that the best thing for us to do as we cannot proceed without him, is to delay it."

The selection of jury has now been postponed till next Tuesday.