Michael Jackson reportedly told a close friend he didn't father two of his children shortly before his death.

The King of Pop died after taking a powerful anaesthetic called Propofol in June 2009. He is survived by Prince, now 16, 15-year-old Paris and 11-year-old Blanket. The kids' paternity has been called into question many times, with claims he couldn't be their father as he was African American.

British actor Mark Lester was a close friend of Michael's and is also Paris' godfather. He has publicly claimed to be her father in the past, alleging he was a sperm donor for Michael and his then-wife Debbie Rowe.

The allegations have never been proved, although another of the singer's friends Jason Pfeiffer has now suggested they are true - and that Mark is also Prince's biological father.

"One day as we talked about his children and Debbie Rowe, he just came out and said that his children were actually fathered by Mark," Jason told British newspaper The Mirror.

"Michael calmly said, 'My friend Mark donated the sperm'. I was taken aback, but I didn't think to ask any more questions about the procedure. Michael felt Mark was one of his closest friends. He said he was a great actor and very good man. He mentioned that he had taken several people's sperm and decided on Mark."

Jason didn't ask Michael why he didn't father the children, explaining he simply listened as his friend "nonchalantly dropped the bombshell".

The singer admitted the supposed truth in February 2009, four months before he passed away.

Following his death, Jason struggled with what he should do with the information.

"Since the '90s people talked about the sperm donation, but he always told everyone he was their dad. Now he confided in me this secret," Jason said.

"At that time I kept much of what Michael told me a secret and he trusted me. I didn't know much about Mark, but when he came out publicly after Michael died to admit he thought he was the children's dad it all made sense.

'I know people may doubt him, but he is their father. Michael told me he was."

Jason has decided to open up about his talk with Michael as he believes Paris needs help. The teenager is currently in hospital after a suicide attempt and is said to be suffering from severe depression.

Although she didn't have contact with her mom Debbie when Michael was alive, she has bonded with her in recent months. Jason believes the late singer would also like her to have a relationship with Mark.

"Mark would be a good person to have in their lives. He has his own teenage kids and has been loyal to Michael for years," he said. 'If Michael picked his seed, then he would want him involved.

"Paris and Michael had a unique bond. She really was the apple of his eye. He always saw her as a star in the making. Michael knew Paris had picked up his traits like being quite stubborn, intelligent and mischievous. She especially had Michael's lust for life, laughing and being centre of attention."