Actor Lester says he is father of Jackson girl

Published on Saturday 8 August 2009 19:53

THE godfather of Michael Jackson's three children has claimed he is the father of the singer's daughter Paris, it was reported last night.

British actor Mark Lester said he donated sperm at a London clinic and believed it had been used to artificially inseminate Jackson's second wife, Debbie Rowe. He said he believed Paris Jackson was his daughter and was prepared to undergo a paternity test.

The 51-year-old former child star, best known for his lead role in the 1968 movie version of the stage show Oliver!, claimed there was a strong physical resemblance between Paris and his own 15-year-old daughter, Harriet.

"She (Rowe] is the birth mother of the children so I naturally assumed the sperm donation would obviously have gone into Debbie and Debbie would have borne the children," he said.

Lester said he had made the revelations because he had "concerns about the welfare and upbringing of the children". He said: "It's a contact issue. I dearly want to remain in contact with those kids and I feel now this is the only way I can ensure that."

Jackson and Lester became friends 27 years ago when Jackson's manager told the young actor the singer wanted to meet him.

Meanwhile, Jackson's brain has been returned to his family, allowing them to prepare for a funeral.

The Los Angeles county coroner confirmed that toxicology tests on the brain were complete and undertakers at Hollywood's Forest Lawn Cemetery would be able to prepare Jackson's body for burial.

There is still no official cause of death, but the 50-year-old is believed to have died of a drug overdose.

It has also emerged that concert promoter AEG Live could be denied a multi-million-pound payout if it is confirmed that Jackson illegally possessed drugs or was involved in the "illicit taking of drugs".

The insurance policy for his London shows covers cancellations resulting from death, but its provisions will hinge on the results of an autopsy that has been delayed twice.

Jackson's doctor administered sedatives with the anaesthetic propofol, a potentially lethal combination, hours before the singer died on 25 June, a police source said.

It was not clear whether any medications Jackson was taking would negate a payout of up to 10.4 million, which would ultimately benefit his estate.