A friend of Michael Jackson claimed he can confirm rumors that children Paris and Prince were fathered by British actor Mark Lester and not the King of Pop, Mirror reported Tuesday.

Jason Pfeiffer, said to be a close friend of Michael's, claimed that the singer made the confession just a few months before he died on June 25, 2009. He said Michael confided in him during a visit to Arnold Klein's medical clinic in Beverly Hills in 2009.

Pfeiffer also said that Michael wanted Prince and Paris's mother, Debbie Rowe, to have no part in their children's lives, saying he was "mom and dad" to both children. Michael reportedly said he only fathered his youngest son, Blanket.

"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. Michael calmly said, 'My friend Mark donated the sperm,' " Pfeiffer, 39, told the publication. "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."

Michael Jackson had his two eldest children with Rowe while his son Blanket was born to an anonymous surrogate mother, according to the news report.

Pfeiffer said the kept much of what Michael confessed to him a secret because the singer trusted him. He did not know much about Lester but when the actor came out publicly after Michael died to admit he thought he was the children's father, "it all made sense" to Pfeiffer. He decided to speak up now because he fears Paris could suffer further breakdowns if extreme measures are not taken, such as rekindling a relationship with Lester.

"If Michael knew how his and this kids' lives would end up, I feel he would approve of Mark having a much more active role," he said. "I know people may doubt him, but he IS their father. Michael told me he was."

Lester, a 54-year-old actor, reached out to Paris following her suicide attempt on June 5, offering her a place to stay with him. He has also spoken about the possibility of him being the father to Michael's kids, revealing that he was asked to donate sperm by the late singer. He said Michael called him and broached the subject of fertility help in 1995, shortly after Lester's third child was born.

Lester said he is willing to take a DNA test to prove paternity of Paris and Prince.

"I wouldn't have a DNA test without the children's permission but when the children come of age, and it's not far away, and they decide they want me to do it then I will," he said. "It is up to them. I don't want to tell them what to do. I just want to reconnect and be the godfather that Michael made me."

He added: "My 18-year-old daughter Olivia looks like Paris. People have also pointed out similarities between myself when I was younger and Prince Michael."

Lester lives in Cheltenham with his second wife Lisa and the four children from his first marriage.

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