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DRUG addled Michael Jackson wanted to “marry” the young daughter of the child star of Oliver! whom he likened to Princess Diana, it has been claimed.

According to singer’s former private doctor Conrad Murray, Jacko wanted to wed the 12 year-old Harriet who was daughter of his good friend Mark Lester.

Mark Lester's daughter Harriet as a child
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Mark Lester's daughter Harriet as a childCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Michael Jackson said to be fond of Mark Lester's daughter
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Michael Jackson said to be fond of Mark Lester's daughterCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The comments have come to light following a slew of new allegations to emerge in the documentary Leaving Neverland.

But dad Mark has speculated Michael might have said he wanted to marry his daughter in a "fairy tale" and "innocent" way.

Mark explained: "It's very hard for me to tell you in a short amount of time what he was like."

But a year later, in an interview with the , he said he was concerned towards the end of Jackson’s life, when the singer remarked that one of Lester’s teenage daughters looked like Princess Diana and he wanted to marry her.

He said: “Michael was going off the rails a bit then. I think he was a bit unbalanced. Delirious from all the drugs.”

And speaking to the Sun last month, Mark insisted the pop star was "just naive" and could never have abused kids.

He said: "The man that I knew was a very gentle man, kind, respectful. He was absolutely endearing to my children when I took my kids to Neverland.

"They absolutely adored Michael."

The extraordinary claims were made in Murray’s book, This Is It, named after the concerts Jacko was due show at London’s O2 Arena before he died in June 2009.

The star’s doc — who was jailed for four years for the manslaughter of the singer — claimed Michael was instantly infatuated with his god-daughter ever since he first met the then five-year-old.

But Harriet has rejected any claims Jackson behaved inappropriately towards her.

'HURT, SHOCKED AND CONFUSED'

Responding to the allegations on Loose Women in 2016, she said: “I feel just a bit hurt and shocked and confused.”

Harriet explained: "It is obviously very difficult to think in that way, but I have been forced to look back on things and I can honestly say there was nothing at all."

She then added: "I can't imagine that Michael would ever do that to my father as well... I'm not going to let this cloud those memories."

Harriet then went on to correct some errors Dr Conrad had made about her age as she dismissed being "groomed".

She said: "I was actually around 15 or 16 at the time.

"He was wonderful, really supportive genuinely fantastic human being. It really saddens me."

Yesterday it emerged Jackson’s family feared he was grooming his own son three-year-old Blanket for sexual abuse, police have said.

Santa Barbara County detectives also quizzed two of the Thriller singer’s nephews over claims they had been assaulted by their famous uncle.

Jackson drew comparisons with Harriet and Princess Diana
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Jackson drew comparisons with Harriet and Princess DianaCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Mark Lester and his two daughters Harriet, left, and Olivia photographed with Jacko
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Mark Lester and his two daughters Harriet, left, and Olivia photographed with JackoCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Mark Lester
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Mark Lester and his daughter Harriet came to the defence of Michael Jackson on Loose Women following claims made by the singer’s former private doctor Conrad MurrayCredit: ITV
Harriet Lester
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Harriet, 22, spoke  about the physician’s claims as she admitted feeling a 'bit hurt and shocked and confused'Credit: ITV
Conrad Murray
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The extraordinary claims are made in Dr Conrad Murray’s book, This Is It, named after the concerts Jackson was due show at London’s O2 Arena before he diedCredit: EPA POOL FILE
 Mark found fame as an eight year in the musical Oliver!
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Mark found fame as an eight year in the musical Oliver!Credit: Alamy
 Mark says the new abuse allegations do not tally with the Michael he knew
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Mark says the new abuse allegations do not tally with the Michael he knewCredit: Rex Features
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Michael Jackson’s best friend Mark Lester defends him against latest accusations in very awkward interview


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