Jackson 'was working on dance album'

Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has claimed that he had finished working on a dance album with Michael Jackson.

However, the 'Boom Boom Pow' popstar said that he had been forced to hand over all the material to Jackson after they finished in the studio.

"I was very proud of it. But he was very protective and kept it under lock and key," he told The Mirror. "After we made it I had to hand back every demo.

"He was a perfectionist and didn't want anyone to hear it until it was ready."

He added: "It was going to be out of this world. It’s something Michael has never done before - a dance music album."

Will.i.am also revealed that the last time he spoke to the late singer was on Father's Day. "He called me to wish me happy Father's Day even though I don't have any children," he said.

"I told him, 'OK, I will grab my crotch and wish myself happy Father's Day for all my unborn children'. He laughed and said, 'You're so funny'."

Black Eyed Peas were rumoured to one of Jackson's support acts at his planned O2 50-date residency.