Macaulay Culkin looks healthier as he steps out in NYC

Few months ago, Macaulay Culkin shocked the world with his pale and skeletal appearance, but he seems to have turned a major corner, and is now sporting a fuller frame and healthier complexion.

Macaulay Culkin, 31, who currently works as a DJ, stepped out yesterday in New York City looking the best he has in a long time.

Wearing a stripped shirt, black shades and faded gray jeans, Macaulay Culkin could be seen shopping at a Duane Reade convenience store and walking around the city’s Soho neighborhood.

In February, shocking photos of Macaulay Culkin emerged showing just how badly his life had seemingly unravelled.

Then last month, the 31-year-old’s tragic tale took a dramatic turn when it was claimed by the National Enquirer that he was “close to death”, because of an addiction to prescription drugs and heroin.

The allegations said he regularly shoots up heroin and the addictive painkiller oxycodone (dubbed hillbilly heroin).

The report went on to claim Macaulay Culkin had turned his Manhattan apartment into a drug den.

Although the reports were immediately denied by the star’s spokesperson, Michelle Bega, his estranged father, Kit Culkin, pleaded with his son to seek help before it’s too late.

The 67-year-old pensioner – who hasn’t spoken to Macaulay Culkin in 15 years following a row over his $17 million fortune – told The Sun: “I hope that he has the right people looking after him.”

Too distraught to talk any more, Kit Culkin’s wife, Jeanette, 68, explained the pair fear the former Home Alone actor is “dying of some disease or heavily into drugs” after seeing disturbing photographs of the star.

Responding to the drug addiction allegations, Macaulay Culkin’s publicist Michelle Bega said: “The report in the National Enquirer that Macaulay Culkin is addicted to heroin and assorted hallucinogenics is not only categorically without merit, but it is also impossibly and ridiculously fictitious.”

The Enquirer claimed Macaulay Culkin’s alleged drug use intensified 18 months ago – around the time he split from long-term girlfriend Mila Kunis, who is now dating Ashton Kutcher.

Two weeks ago, Macaulay Culkin was spotted out at Hollywood hot spot Chateau Marmont.

Although he wasn’t as skinny as before, his appearance didn’t entirely help to end the addiction rumors as he was seen clutching his stomach and appeared to be sick.