Michael Jackson cut dad out of last will

Michael Jackson cut his father out of his last will in a move that would deprive him of a share in the singer's fortune, it has been reported.

The Wall Street Journal said the document, which was drafted in 2002, divides the pop star's estate between his mother, three children and a number of charities. It also emerged that Jackson was worth a net 236 million dollars (£143 million) in March 2007. Financial documents showed the singer held 567.6 million dollars (£345 million) in assets and 331 million (£201 million) in debt at that time.

The apparent emergence of a will contradicts earlier statements from the Jackson family which implied the pop star died intestate - without a will in place. In court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, the singer's parents - Joe and Katherine - stated they had not come across a will. But according to the Wall Street Journal, a document does exist, naming lawyer John Branca and a music executive John McClain as executives.

The lack of his father's name as a beneficiary in the will follows earlier allegation that the Jackson patriarch used to hit Michael and his brothers. In his 1988 book Moonwalk, the singer wrote that Joe was strict with his children and would beat them if they missed a step or note during rehearsals.