This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8192030.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Jackson friend claims paternity | Jackson friend claims paternity |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Mark Lester, a former child star and long-time friend of Michael Jackson, says he could be the father of one of the late pop star's children. | Mark Lester, a former child star and long-time friend of Michael Jackson, says he could be the father of one of the late pop star's children. |
Speaking to the News Of The World, Lester said he had donated sperm to the King of Pop and was willing to take a paternity test. | Speaking to the News Of The World, Lester said he had donated sperm to the King of Pop and was willing to take a paternity test. |
"I believe Paris could be my daughter," he said, and noted she bore a physical resemblance to his daughter, Harriet. | "I believe Paris could be my daughter," he said, and noted she bore a physical resemblance to his daughter, Harriet. |
Calls to Lester's home in Cheltenham were not immediately returned. | Calls to Lester's home in Cheltenham were not immediately returned. |
The 51-year-old, who rose to fame playing Oliver Twist in the 1968 film of the stage musical, had been friends with Jackson for nearly 30 years. | The 51-year-old, who rose to fame playing Oliver Twist in the 1968 film of the stage musical, had been friends with Jackson for nearly 30 years. |
He is godfather to Paris, 11, and Jackson's two other children, 12-year-old Prince, and Prince Michael II, seven. | He is godfather to Paris, 11, and Jackson's two other children, 12-year-old Prince, and Prince Michael II, seven. |
Jackson suffered a cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home on 25 June at the age of 50. | |
His mother, Katherine, became the permanent guardian of his three children last week. | His mother, Katherine, became the permanent guardian of his three children last week. |
Welfare concerns | Welfare concerns |
In a video on the News Of The World website, Lester said he had come forward at this time "because I have concerns about the welfare and upbringing of the children". | In a video on the News Of The World website, Lester said he had come forward at this time "because I have concerns about the welfare and upbringing of the children". |
"There's a contact issue," he added. "I dearly want to remain in contact with those kids and I feel now this is the only way that I can ensure that." | "There's a contact issue," he added. "I dearly want to remain in contact with those kids and I feel now this is the only way that I can ensure that." |
The former actor, who now works as an osteopath, also detailed how the arrangement with Jackson had come to pass. | The former actor, who now works as an osteopath, also detailed how the arrangement with Jackson had come to pass. |
Paris (left) made an emotional speech at her father's memorial concert | Paris (left) made an emotional speech at her father's memorial concert |
"Michael Jackson asked me in a private conversation if I would be willing to donate sperm on his behalf," he said. | "Michael Jackson asked me in a private conversation if I would be willing to donate sperm on his behalf," he said. |
"I was phoned up by a London clinic and I was asked what would be a convenient time for me to attend. I made an appointment to go along." | "I was phoned up by a London clinic and I was asked what would be a convenient time for me to attend. I made an appointment to go along." |
Lester said he assumed the mother of the child would be Debbie Rowe, Jackson's then-wife. | Lester said he assumed the mother of the child would be Debbie Rowe, Jackson's then-wife. |
There has previously been speculation that Jackson's dermatologist, Arnold Klein, was the father to his two children with Rowe. | There has previously been speculation that Jackson's dermatologist, Arnold Klein, was the father to his two children with Rowe. |
The star's third child was born to a surrogate mother, whose identity was never revealed. | The star's third child was born to a surrogate mother, whose identity was never revealed. |
"Of all of Michael's children, I would assume that the one who looks most like me is Paris," Lester said. | "Of all of Michael's children, I would assume that the one who looks most like me is Paris," Lester said. |
"Paris has blue eyes, pale complexion and high cheekbones. My girls all have very similar features." | "Paris has blue eyes, pale complexion and high cheekbones. My girls all have very similar features." |
There has been no comment on Lester's claims from the Jackson family. | There has been no comment on Lester's claims from the Jackson family. |