Michael Jackson: Peter Andre defends starring in musical Thriller after child sex abuse claims

Singer said ‘we’re not at that point where we know what happened’

Ellie Harrison
Wednesday 23 October 2019 13:24 BST
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Peter Andre says allegations against Michael Jackson should not distract from people's enjoyment of his music
Peter Andre says allegations against Michael Jackson should not distract from people's enjoyment of his music

Peter Andre has defended his decision to star in the Michael Jackson musical Thriller in London’s West End following the sexual abuse claims made against the performer.

Jackson was accused numerous times throughout his career of child molestation and, in the documentary Leaving Neverlandreleased earlier this year – Wade Robson and James Safechuck alleged that the singer sexually abused them when they were children.

Andre said the allegations should not get in the way of people’s enjoyment of Jackson’s music.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, he said: “I have always said that we’ve got to keep the music separate. The reason I say that is because if you’re going to go there and say you can’t listen to the music because there’s allegations, do you listen to the music pre any supposed allegations? Where do you go with it?

“Someone was listening to Rihanna the other day and there was a sample of a Michael Jackson song, and she was telling me she was unsure about listening to Michael Jackson. So where do you draw that line?"

Continuing to defend his decision, Andre said: “This show is about the music. I always have to say that... this is still based on allegations.

"It doesn’t mean there’s no truth in it or you can in any way ignore it. But we’re not at that point where we know what happened.”

Jackson was investigated twice over allegations of child molestation. He was not charged in 1994, but he went to trial in 2005 and was acquitted on all counts.

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