Controversial US pop star Michael Jackson has denied a magazine report that he is to father quadruplets.
US Weekly reported that a surrogate mother in Florida was pregnant with the Thriller star's four babies. However, a statement on Jackson's official website, MJJsource.com said: "Us Weekly magazine reported on Tuesday, July 20, 2004, that Michael Jackson is about to become a father of quadruplets.
MJJsource denies the validity of this report. It added: "There will be no further comments on this matter from MJJsource." The magazine reported that Jackson, who is currently battling child sex abuse allegations, stayed in a £2,500-per-night hotel in Miami Beach during the visit.
A spokesman for US Weekly said the magazine was sticking by its story. Jackson, 45, already has three young children, Prince Michael and daughter Paris by former wife, Debbie Rowe, and Prince Michael II, whose mother is not publicly known.
The mother of Prince Michael II was a surrogate, the pop star has previously revealed.
Jackson is currently on £1.6 million bail pending trial over allegations that he sexually molested a teenage cancer patient at the Neverland ranch in California. Jackson has denied the accusations calling them a "big lie". He pleaded not guilty to committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent - alcohol - and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. His trial is due to start in September.
PA