Michael Jackson’s pal Paul McCartney stunned by star’s paedo ‘dark side’ exposed in Leaving Neverland doc – but will still remember the good times
SIR Paul McCartney had no idea about the “dark side” of pop pal Michael Jackson exposed in the Leaving Neverland documentary – but says he will still remember their good times.
Jacko is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after he was accused of sexually abusing boys as young as seven in the shocking new film.
However, the Beatles legend- who worked with Jackson in the 1980s – said he never knew about Jackson’s secret private life.
“I think it’s sad,” McCartney told Radio Futuro in Chile, where he has been performing.
“Obviously Michael was a great singer, a great artist and a great dancer. For years we’ve loved that. Nobody knew about the other side that’s shown in that movie.
“When I knew him he was a really nice guy. I didn’t know about the dark side.
“It makes it very difficult to look back on the memories which were good memories, to think, oh boy, there was other stuff going on.
“For me, I’m OK to just stay with the personal memories I had of him. The other side is the other side. I don’t know about that.
“I can understand why people are very disappointed in him and angry that he had the dark side.”
HARROWING DETAILS
Macca said he also sympathised with those having trouble with Jackson’s music after claims of child sexual abuse were levelled at the late superstar.
Jackson covered McCartney’s song ‘Girlfriend’ on his ‘Off the Wal’l album in 1979. ‘The Girl Is Mine’ duet was the first single from Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ album.
The pair also recorded ‘Say Say Say; together in 1983.
In the two part film expose, James Safechuck, 40, and Wade Robson, 36, claim the superstar abused them while they were small boys during the 1980s and 1990s.
They have revealed harrowing details of their alleged ordeal which has sent shockwaves throughout the music industry.
At the weekend, Diana Ross has defended Jackson over the child sex abuse claims – sparking outrage amongst her fans.
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The Supremes singer, 74, called Jacko a “magnificent incredible force” and asked his accusers to “stop in the name of love” in an impassioned tweet.
Ross, who was a close friend of Jackson’s, was quickly slammed by Twittter users for defending him.
She tweeted: “This is what’s on my heart this morning. I believe and trust that Michael Jackson was and is A magnificent incredible force to me and to many others.”
Ross finished the tweet by quoting one of The Supremes most famous hits, writing: “STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE.”
