Michael Jackson's behaviour 'deeply suspicious' during 1988 tour

A journalist has revealed he was so concerned about Michael Jackson's "deeply suspicious" relationship with James Safechuck he reached out to the boy, asking if he was being held against his will.

Jackson, who died in 2009, is facing renewed allegations he sexually abused children in the documentary Leaving Neverland, which premiered in Australia late last week.

The three-hour film details Safechuck and Australian-born Wade Robson's claims Jackson groomed and sexually molested them for years.

Michael Jackson, left, with Safechuck and with Wade Robson, right. Photo / Supplied

In an article for the Irish Mail on Sunday, reporter Sam Smyth recalled how he became concerned about Jackson's behaviour while covering one of the singer's concerts in 1988.

Accompanying Jackson was Safechuck, or "Little Jimmy" as he was known by Jackson.

Staying at the same hotel as Jackson and his entourage as he performed in Ireland, Smyth and another journalist noted it was "very odd" the 10-year-old boy was accompanying the singer.

Making things even more strange, staff reported Safechuck, who was staying next to Jackson, remained in his room the whole time the singer was out performing with a 'do not disturb' sign hanging on the doorknob and sheeting on the windows to block the view in.

Growing concerned, Smyth and the other journalist decided to send a letter to Safechuck's room.

Using hotel stationary the pair wrote: "Dear Little Jimmy Safechuck, we are in the residents' lounge … and if you are being held against your will or if you need rescuing contact us."

Smyth said they gave the note to a hotel porter with instructions to take it to Safechuck's room, however they never heard from the boy.

"I remember thinking at the time … it's very odd for a man in his 30th year to have his very best friend as this boy called Little Jimmy Safechuck who was 10," Smyth said on RTÉ Radio 1.

"The whole thing was odd and deeply suspicious. Certainly not anything that I would ever want for anyone belonging to me."

Smyth found the allegations made in Leaving Neverland credible and said he believed Safechuck's account despite not receiving a reply to his hotel note.

"I'm quite convinced that they are telling the truth," he said. "I think most people would be … I think the film is very credible and very skilfully made."

In Leaving Neverland, Safechuck recalled how Jackson began abusing him in hotel rooms while on tour after months of grooming both him and his family.

"He would run drills with me where we would be in the hotel room and he would pretend like someone was coming in and you had to get dressed as fast as possible without any noise," Safechuck said.

"So not getting caught was a big fundamental. It was very much a secret, and he would tell me if anyone found out his life would be over and my life would be over, and that's something he told me over and over again."