Jan 23 2005
Oliver Twist actor Mark Lester is set to be called as a key witness for the defence at the child abuse trial of Michael Jackson.
The former child star may provide vital evidence at the hearing, due to start next week, because he was staying at the pop singer’s Neverland ranch when young boys were allegedly sexually assaulted.
And the father-of-four - who shot to fame playing the title role in the 1968 blockbuster musical Oliver! - said he was confident his close pal Jackson would eventually be cleared of all charges.
Mark, speaking from his home in Cheltenham where he now practices as an osteopath, revealed: “I may be called as a witness to the trial by the defence.
“I was at Neverland when these kids making the allegations were there. I witnessed a few things that could be helpful. I will go and see him to offer my support.”
Mark became friends with the US pop star 26 years ago when they were both aged 20. Jackson’s PA had contacted him because the men both shot to superstar status at such a young age.
The famous pair hit if off immediately and eventually became close friends.
Mark is godfather to two of Jackson’s children, Prince and Paris, while the controversial American star is godfather to Mark’s four children - Lucy, 13, Harriet, 10, Olivia, nine and five year-old Felix.
The actor, who starred in a string of films including The Prince And The Pauper after Oliver!, said he had been in regular touch with Jackson since the new child abuse claims surfaced.
In an exclusive interview, he told the Sunday Mercury: “Michael is innocent. I would totally trust my children with him. He is their godfather. Why shouldn’t I?
“Since the allegations came out, Michael has stopped reading newspapers and doesn’t watch any TV.
“He is coping OK. The problem is that he tends to hide from it all rather than coming out and making any speeches.
“He comes across well in interviews when he does do them. Unfortunately, he needs someone to advise him well about what to do next.
“When he is cleared I think he should do a few selective interviews with people about what has happened to him.
“I also think he should go on tour again. I definitely think he will make records again.”
When asked what would happen to their friendship if Jackson was found guilty, Mark replied: “There are a lot of innocent people found guilty. It wouldn’t change our friendship.
Michael is innocent.” And he revealed that he could play a key part in proving Jackson is not guilty.
“I think the allegations are complete and utter nonsense,” said Mark. “I think I could be called as a witness because of what I know.
“I saw a few things that could be helpful. I have to be careful what I say because of the pending trial.”
Describing his famous friend as a ‘lovely guy’, he added: “Offstage Michael is different. He is very quiet and shy, but he still enjoys all the attention.
“His fame rewards him in a lot of ways but restricts him in terms of his freedom.”
The last time Mark met Jackson was during a holiday in Las Vegas at the end of 2003. His children were pictured with the multi-millionaire star, looking around an exclusive antiques store in the city.
“My children had a great time with Michael,” said Mark.
“When they get together they have a good time. I think Felix actually had a fight with Prince on the last occasion!
“But they have been to Neverland a few times - they love it there.”
His youngest child, Felix, piped up when asked about his last trip: “Michael is good. I like him a lot.”
Earlier in 2003, Mark had visited Jackson in Germany while he was being filmed by journalist Martin Bashir for what would prove a highly controversial and damaging documentary.
“I met Bashir and didn’t really take to him,” he said.
“It was also the time when Michael dangled his baby out of the window, which I think was blown out of all proportion.
“But I just wasn’t sure about Bashir - there was something very odd about him.”
Mark continues to speak to his pop star pal on a regular basis.
“We call each other to talk about what’s going on in our lives,” he revealed.
“He has not visited me here in Cheltenham yet, but I’m sure he will once the trial is over. He always tells me he wants to visit.”:7:
Mark is due to marry his fiance Lisa - a former patient - in June.
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100ne...-name_page.html
Oliver Twist actor Mark Lester is set to be called as a key witness for the defence at the child abuse trial of Michael Jackson.
The former child star may provide vital evidence at the hearing, due to start next week, because he was staying at the pop singer’s Neverland ranch when young boys were allegedly sexually assaulted.
And the father-of-four - who shot to fame playing the title role in the 1968 blockbuster musical Oliver! - said he was confident his close pal Jackson would eventually be cleared of all charges.
Mark, speaking from his home in Cheltenham where he now practices as an osteopath, revealed: “I may be called as a witness to the trial by the defence.
“I was at Neverland when these kids making the allegations were there. I witnessed a few things that could be helpful. I will go and see him to offer my support.”
Mark became friends with the US pop star 26 years ago when they were both aged 20. Jackson’s PA had contacted him because the men both shot to superstar status at such a young age.
The famous pair hit if off immediately and eventually became close friends.
Mark is godfather to two of Jackson’s children, Prince and Paris, while the controversial American star is godfather to Mark’s four children - Lucy, 13, Harriet, 10, Olivia, nine and five year-old Felix.
The actor, who starred in a string of films including The Prince And The Pauper after Oliver!, said he had been in regular touch with Jackson since the new child abuse claims surfaced.
In an exclusive interview, he told the Sunday Mercury: “Michael is innocent. I would totally trust my children with him. He is their godfather. Why shouldn’t I?
“Since the allegations came out, Michael has stopped reading newspapers and doesn’t watch any TV.
“He is coping OK. The problem is that he tends to hide from it all rather than coming out and making any speeches.
“He comes across well in interviews when he does do them. Unfortunately, he needs someone to advise him well about what to do next.
“When he is cleared I think he should do a few selective interviews with people about what has happened to him.
“I also think he should go on tour again. I definitely think he will make records again.”
When asked what would happen to their friendship if Jackson was found guilty, Mark replied: “There are a lot of innocent people found guilty. It wouldn’t change our friendship.
Michael is innocent.” And he revealed that he could play a key part in proving Jackson is not guilty.
“I think the allegations are complete and utter nonsense,” said Mark. “I think I could be called as a witness because of what I know.
“I saw a few things that could be helpful. I have to be careful what I say because of the pending trial.”
Describing his famous friend as a ‘lovely guy’, he added: “Offstage Michael is different. He is very quiet and shy, but he still enjoys all the attention.
“His fame rewards him in a lot of ways but restricts him in terms of his freedom.”
The last time Mark met Jackson was during a holiday in Las Vegas at the end of 2003. His children were pictured with the multi-millionaire star, looking around an exclusive antiques store in the city.
“My children had a great time with Michael,” said Mark.
“When they get together they have a good time. I think Felix actually had a fight with Prince on the last occasion!
“But they have been to Neverland a few times - they love it there.”
His youngest child, Felix, piped up when asked about his last trip: “Michael is good. I like him a lot.”
Earlier in 2003, Mark had visited Jackson in Germany while he was being filmed by journalist Martin Bashir for what would prove a highly controversial and damaging documentary.
“I met Bashir and didn’t really take to him,” he said.
“It was also the time when Michael dangled his baby out of the window, which I think was blown out of all proportion.
“But I just wasn’t sure about Bashir - there was something very odd about him.”
Mark continues to speak to his pop star pal on a regular basis.
“We call each other to talk about what’s going on in our lives,” he revealed.
“He has not visited me here in Cheltenham yet, but I’m sure he will once the trial is over. He always tells me he wants to visit.”:7:
Mark is due to marry his fiance Lisa - a former patient - in June.
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100ne...-name_page.html
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