JACKO FANS ‘DELUDED’

Abuse film boss: Critics like Corbyn’s supporters

LEAVING Neverland’s director claims Michael Jackson fans are deluded – just like supporters of Jeremy Corbyn.

Dan Reed has faced a backlash over sex abuse allegations made in his documentary about the King of Pop.

The film focuses on accusations by James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who claim they were subjected to sex abuse at Jacko’s Neverland home when they were children.

Since it aired, Dan has been faced with protests from fans insisting on the singer’s innocence.

Many attacks are being made by people too young to have experienced his music at the height of his success in the 1980s.

Dan, 54, said: “It rather echoes how in the United Kingdom we have a politician named Jeremy Corbyn, who’s a good old-fashioned Soviet-type socialist who hasn’t changed his views since the 1970s.

“And suddenly, to a new generation. what he’s saying sounds very fresh.

“For a new generation, there’s no context for what this guy’s saying and it all seems fresh and exciting. Maybe that’s the same thing with Michael. Michael’s been discovered by a new generation, and this is now very far from Michael the man and the controversies that surrounded him when he was alive.” Dan added: “This is Michael as purest cultural icon, a two-dimensional godhead. That and the anonymity of social media explain the weird intensity of the vitriol. “I know the hatred is out there.”

Dan said that overall he was pleased with the reaction to the film. He said: “For me, this is not a film about Michael, this is a film about Wade and James, and about child sexual abuse.

“It’s great to feel that that message is getting through.”

A DAD who was so obsessed with Michael Jackson that he legally changed his name to match his idol is now trying to change it back.

John Lomas, 38, of Malvern, West Mids, said he had previously supported Jacko “blindly”. But he added: “There is too much doubt and I’m now left with this name that I need to get rid of.”