Michael Jackson denies abandoning nanny

Michael Jackson has denied reports claiming that he abandoned his children's nanny, Grace Rwaramba, while she suffered from lupus disease.

The singer, who was rumoured to have married the woman last month, was accused of leaving her to struggle with the illness at home on her own.

Yesterday a source told the New York Daily News: "(Rwaramba) is not doing well. She's ill, and she could use (Jackson's) spiritual, mental and financial support right now.

"I do believe (Jackson) has affection for Grace, but he acts like a child. He could at least give her a call and say, 'How are you doing, Grace? Do you need more doctors?' But it's never like that. It's always taking."

But Jackson's spokeswoman Raymone Bain has laughed off the accusations, branding them "hilarious".

She said: "(It's a) hilarious rumour. I can guarantee she is not very ill. I've spoken to her in the last two hours."