FORMER child star Mark Lester has dismissed rumours that his pal Michael *Jackson may not be up to a string of comeback concerts this summer.
Mark, 49, who rose to fame in Oliver!, said: ‘‘Michael is absolutely fine and there should be no concerns over his health.
“I have spent a lot of time with him while he has been over here and I can assure you he is very fit and well. He can’t wait to get back to Los Angeles to begin rehearsals.
“He has been talking about doing a lot of new stuff, not music, but dance routines, so I think people will be quite surprised by his shows. He wants to pull together all the talent he can. He is raring to go.”
Mark was 1 when he starred in the film of Lionel Bart’s musical film but now works as an osteopath in Gloucestershire.
When the Jackson Five *visited London more than 30 years ago, the young Michael asked to meet him and they have stayed friends.
Jackson is godfather to his four children, Lucy, 17, Harriet, 15, Olivia, 13 and Felix, nine from Mark’s marriage to his first wife Jane. He later married psychiatric nurse Lisa, 35.
On Friday night the Lesters went with Jackson and his children Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11, to the latest version of Oliver! in the West End, starring Rowan Atkinson, on Friday.
The 50-year-old singer was mobbed by fans, recalling his glory days before the sex abuse allegations.
“We all had a fantastic time at the theatre,” said Mark. “Michael said Oliver! is still his favourite musical and he was singing along to some of the songs.
Afterwards we went backstage and met the cast, which he greatly enjoyed. He said he is really loving his time in London and is very pleased by the welcome.
“My children get on very well with his and we have all been having a great time. My kids can’t wait for the *concerts.”
Rumours began about Jackson’s health when he was seen coming out of a clinic in Los Angeles in a wheelchair after reportedly contracting the superbug MRSA, a claim later denied by his staff.
US author Ian Halperin, who posed as a hairdresser to get close to the singer for a book to be published in the UK soon, said: “When I saw him he looked frail and weak. At that time I did not think he would be able to perform an exhausting concert. It will be fascinating to see if he can get back in shape .
“I think when the adrenalin starts pumping he will be OK but I don’t think the dance *routines will be as spectacular in the past.”
Halperin also claimed that Jackson wears a wig in public. “I saw him without the wig and he has short cropped salt and pepper hair like millions of other men in their 50s,” he said.
“It was a bit like seeing a clown with his make up off.”
When Jackson announced his “This is it” concerts at the 02 arena he looked his trademark self, with long thick dark hair.
Rob Hallett, president of promoters AEG Live International, said of the wig claim: “I can categorically deny that. .”
He also said ***** had a full check-up to see if he was fit for the 10 live shows that will earn him £50million.
“He’s fitter than I’ll ever be. His cholesterol levels, his blood, everything was perfect and we got the *insurance,” said Mr Hallett.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...ld-star-friend
EDIT:
No i nici z unpluggedMark Lester wrote:He has been talking about doing a lot of new stuff, not music, but dance
