20 March 2024 , 08:34
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Under-fire Martin Bashir has been caught up in a new row over his infamous Michael Jackson interview amid claims the journalist duped the pop legend’s family to gain access.
Music producer Denis Ingoldsby has alleged that he was tricked into setting up a meeting with Jackson’s brother Tito to discuss the documentary. And Tito has said he too felt double-crossed by Bashir, who allegedly claimed the 2003 ITV film would be a celebration of the entire Jackson family.
It raises fresh questions after Lord Dyson’s damning 2021 report concluded the journalist used deceitful behaviour and faked bank statements to secure a high-profile 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana. Eight years later, Bashir’s explosive documentary Living with Michael Jackson caused a sensation as the King of Pop admitted sharing his bed with children.
Denis, 64, became friends with Jackson, having met him through the star’s girlfriend, actress Brooke Shields. He said he is speaking up now in the wake of thousands of emails released by the BBC this year relating to the Diana scandal. In one, Bashir, 61, claimed that the furore was sparked by professional jealousy and racism within the BBC.
Bashir’s explosive documentary Living with Michael Jackson caused a sensation (Unknown)But Denis, who was responsible for breaking an array of acts including girl band Eternal, said he felt compelled to speak up. He said: “The way he acted to get me on side and exploit my friendship with the Jacksons has driven me mad for years but I haven’t said anything. To then see him portraying himself as some sort of victim was the final straw.
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“Bashir came out to the south of France in Cap Ferrat where I was on holiday with the kids, and he spent time with all the family.” Denis claimed: “He said he wanted to make a documentary about the whole Jackson family, and it would be very much a celebration of their lives, and wanted me to introduce him to them.
“I was a bit reluctant as I was very protective of the Jackson family, and Michael was nothing but lovely to me. But he insisted that it was not going to centre on Michael at all... but would be a celebration of the Jackson family as a whole, and their legacy. Over several hours in which we enjoyed time on a boat, and dinners together, he kept saying this, and I was taken in by him. But at the end of the day it was all an act, and he only had Michael in his sights. I felt deceived and, ultimately, betrayed by this man.”
Denis agreed to introduce Bashir to Tito, and the three men arranged to meet in Los Angeles. He said: “Bashir kept saying that if Princess Diana trusted him, Tito should too. Looking back, it felt like such a rehearsed line.” Tito, 70, confirmed Denis’s version of events.
Michael Jackson teaches Martin Bashir how to 'moonwalk' in his recording studios in Neverland (Unknown)He said: “I remember [Bashir] saying he wanted to do a project with the whole family, and he was very nice, and I ended up giving him some more contacts. But then I didn’t hear from him again. First of all, I felt double-crossed – he was only interested in a story on Michael. That’s what I got so upset about, as that wasn’t the deal. He said it would be very positive and on the entire family.”
Tito said he felt deceived, adding: “The story wasn’t factual. He just needed to tell the truth. He didn’t need to lie to me. He was a betrayer.” Bashir’s spokesman has denied this version of events. He confirmed Bashir had a meeting with Tito but says the production team met Michael Jackson independently, without any assistance from Tito.
The spokesman added that the singer made it very clear that he did not want any of his family involved. He added: “Indeed, Michael made it a condition of his involvement and that was how the programme was made.” He also claims that Jackson was estranged from his brothers at the time of the 2002 interview, citing US news reports that he had “cut them off, one by one”.
In Bashir’s film, Jackson confessed to sharing a bed with young teenage cancer survivor Gavin Arvizo and was shown holding hands with him. The documentary was credited with sparking a child sex abuse prosecution against the star, in which Bashir testified.
Denis, 64, became friends with Jackson, having met him through the star’s girlfriend, actress Brooke Shields (FilmMagic, Inc)
Tito has said he felt double-crossed by Bashir, who allegedly claimed the 2003 ITV film would be a celebration of the entire Jackson family (Getty Images)Jackson was acquitted of all charges in 2005 but the allegations of child abuse dogged the singer until his death aged 50 in 2009. In the film, Bashir described Jackson’s Neverland ranch in California as a “dangerous place for a vulnerable child”. But after it aired, the Jackson family released footage of out-takes in which Bashir praised the star.
In one clip, Bashir said: “It almost makes me weep when I see you with [children] because your interaction with them is just so natural, loving, so caring. Everybody, whoever comes into contact with you, knows that.” Denis added: “This is about deceit and how someone goes about getting a story, and I felt let down.” He urged ITV bosses to investigate, claiming: “Michael was tricked into an interview... just like Diana was.”
Jackson, from Gary, Indiana, first came to fame in the Jackson 5 alongside his brothers in 1969. He began his solo career in 1971 and went on to sell more than 400 million records worldwide. Hits including Beat It, Thriller and Bad helped make him one of the biggest recording artists of all time.
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Londoner Bashir worked for the BBC from 1986 until 1999 before joining ITV. He later worked in the USA then returned to the BBC but resigned on health grounds in 2021.