Michael Jackson is in the news yet again, ten years after his death, as two of his alleged victims speak out in new documentary, Leaving Neverland.
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In the two-part programme, James Safechuck and Wade Robson speak out about the sexual abuse they say they endured at the hands of Jackson after he struck up close friendships with them when they were aged only 7 and 10.
The film goes into explicit detail of the shocking sexual abuse that the men allege they were put through, as Dan Reed, the director of the documentary, told The Telegraph: 'We can’t draw a veil over it… because for so many years the contention has been that he just liked children and a kiss and a cuddle, and this wasn’t.'
In the wake of these latest allegations, BBC Radio 2 have dropped all of Michael Jackson's music from their playlist and many individuals have called for people to stop listening to Jackson's music.
Michael Jackson's estate has strongly criticised the film, saying in a statement: 'Leaving Neverland isn’t a documentary, it is the kind of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death. The film takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly happened 20 years ago and treats them as fact.'
Reed hit back at these claims, saying 'If there’s anything we’ve learned during this time in our history, it’s that sexual abuse is complicated, and survivors’ voices need to be listened to. It took great courage for these two men to tell their stories and I have no question about their validity. I believe anyone who watches this film will see and feel the emotional toll on the men and their families and will appreciate the strength it takes to confront long-held secrets.'
Amidst calls for a boycott on Michael Jackson's music, some famous faces have been speaking out in defence of the former King of Pop, including Peter Andre.
Take a look at the video above to see what he had to say.
