The Jackson fave
Michael’s son posts video hitting back at critics of dead grandad
Soap favourite Grantham on set as Nipper
Furious Prince Jackson, 21, lashed out over claims about Joe Jackson’s brutal beatings of his sons in the Jackson 5.
In a video he posted online, Prince said that without Joe’s tough-love approach, the Prince with Katherine stars could have ended up “in gangs or f***ing dead”. Joe died aged 89 on Wednesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His death has devastated Jacko’s children, with Den and Angie them with a belt if they failed to hit notes correctly or missed dance moves. But an insider said Joe was “a different man” around Jacko’s kids Prince, Blanket and Paris, 20.
The insider added: “He really loved his grandchildren. They Grandad Joe
did hang out with Joe and his wife Katherine over the years since Michael passed. Blanket has taken it hard. It’s left a huge hole in his life.”
scoops@sundaymirror.co.uk youngest son Blanket, 16, said to be “really shaken up”.
Singer Michael, who died aged 50 in 2009, broke down on TV when telling of the cruelty of his dad, who managed the Jackson 5.
He told how Joe would often beat
A source revealed: “Leslie was so thrilled to be a part of the Krays film. He had a great part and gave it his all.
“He had to be ushered around on set in a car because he didn’t have the energy to walk. But he never lost his passion and gave it everything.”
Grantham was joined in the movie by former Eastender Rita Simons, in her first major film part since leaving her Albert Square role as Roxy Mitchell.
In what has been hailed as a “career defining performance” Rita, 41, plays Lisa Prescott, a hostess drawn into the Krays’ warped world.
Grantham played Albert Square rogue Dirty Den from 1985 to 1989.
His fiery marriage with Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts, played by Anita Dobson, pulled in more than 20 million viewers for some episodes. He returned in 2003.
The actor died of lung cancer last month. He had split from actress wife Jane in 2013, after 31 years together. The couple had three sons.
The source added: “He planned his own funeral, but it wasn’t binding so his family are now trying to sort it out.”