LONDON - Michael Jackson’s long-term friend Mark Lester has claimed that he is the real father of the star’s daughter Paris.

Lester, a former child actor, said he secretly donated sperm to help King of Pop become a father and that the strong likeness between Paris, 11, and his own daughter Harriet, 15, had left him convinced the former was a part of him.

“It’s been a secret for so long. In 1996 Michael asked me if I would give him my sperm and I said yes. It was a gift to him, no money was paid, it was something I was honoured to do. He wanted children so badly,” News of the World quoted Mark as saying.

He added: “Paris is very pale, with blue eyes. All my daughters, apart from my eldest, are fair with blue eyes. So many people have commented on how alike Harriet and Paris look. Our families often holidayed together and staff, especially nannies, watching the children play together would say how similar the two girls looked.”

Speaking of the Jackson kids, the 51-year-old also said: “I’m the Godparent to them and Michael was Godparent to all my four kids. Our two families spent a lot of time together, and had a lot fun together. Now I’m not able to have any communication with the children. My repeated phone calls aren’t returned and emails go unanswered.

“This isn’t what Michael would have wanted. I feel I have to come forward, as my only way of saying, ‘Please don’t shut me out!’”

He continued: “I do feel a definite bonding with Paris and I think there’s a definite possibility that she’s part of me.

“I want to have contact with her, Prince and Blanket regardless of whether any or all of them are mine. I think it’s cruel that I’ve now been excluded from them.”

He went on: “I’ll push all the way for contact with her, Prince and Blanket.

“I feel it’s important. I love those kids so much. We’ve had great times together. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing speaking out. But I’m not trying to make any claim on anything. Even if it’s proven Paris is biologically mine I wouldn’t see her as anything other than Michael’s daughter. He raised her.

“Michael was a brilliant, brilliant dad. Those kids are Michael’s children. He was their father.End of story. But I just want to make sure they’re happy.” (ANI)