Jackson didn't want his father near his kids

MICHAEL JACKSON begged his friends not to let his father look after his children in the event of his death.

The King of Pop reportedly told them he was adamant that Joe, who he accused of physically abusing him as a child, should care for Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II.

A source said: "Michael talked so much about his kids. He said he was doing his comeback concerts for them. He hoped to give them financial security.

"It was as though he'd had a premonition of his own death. The one thing he wanted - and insisted upon - was that his father Joe didn't get anywhere near the kids.

"I know the last thing he wanted was for Joe to play a part in the raising of his children if he died. He told me, 'I don't want him doing to them what he did to me.' "

It was also claimed that Jackson was keen for his mother Katherine to care for the children, but also wanted his sister Janet to have some input.

The source told the National Enquirer: "The family is going to splinter over this. Janet will go up against her mother and will likely get the backing of her brothers.

"But her sister La Toya will side with her mother.

"It is believed Michael named Janet to get custody on some papers. He often said in the last two years, 'Janet is the only sane person in my whole family. She's the only one who isn't out for herself and actually cares about these kids.' "