Jackson had secret girlfriend, claims bodyguard

LONDON - Michael Jackson had a secret long-term girlfriend at the time he died, the pop superstar's former British bodyguard has revealed.

Matt Fiddes said Jackson had "someone special" in his life but kept their relationship a mystery from most people.

The woman was not a celebrity but was known to Jackson's family, Fiddes said.

"I'm not going to name who she is but I think the family were aware that there was someone special in his life who he loved and adored and had his ups and downs with," he told Sky News.

"For some time I think she's been present in his life.

"If she ever wants to speak out it's up to her."

Fiddes, 30, said he became a confidant of Jackson's after first meeting him about a decade ago when they were introduced by the pop star's friend, psychic Uri Geller.

Both Fiddes, who worked for Jackson when he visited Britain, and Geller were concerned the pop star was addicted to prescription drugs.

In an interview with The Sun, Geller said he had to scream at Jackson in an attempt to wake him up after he had taken strong sedatives while visiting London in 2003.

"I was so worried about him," Geller said.

"The trouble is nobody said 'no' to Michael and that was a big problem.

"I told him -- shouting and screaming -- that he would die if things continued as they were."

Fiddes said he and Geller once had to cancel a planned trip to London Zoo to see gorillas because Jackson was so out of it.

"We were both shaking him to wake him up," Fiddes said.

"It was clear he had taken something ... and he was hard to wake.

"We were extremely concerned.

"He would come round and say he was just jetlagged."

Fiddes said he and Geller went to great lengths to keep away from Jackson the doctors who prescribed a mixture of sedatives and pain killers.

However, their actions angered the pop star, who launched into "screaming fits" and accused the pair of interfering in his private life.

"I never witnessed him actually taking drugs but I knew they were there and I confiscated packages and Uri did too," Fiddes said.

"Uri confiscated injection equipment from his room and whisked it away. Uri would scream at Michael ... to stop.

"The doctors had such an influence over Michael that we felt our efforts were falling on deaf ears.

"As far as I'm concerned they have Michael's blood on their hands and they know what they've done."

- AAP