Snoop's sidekick dates Brown's widow

Snoop Dogg's sidekick Bishop Don Magic Juan has revealed that he is dating James Brown's widow Tomi Rae, and that the pair have swapped diamond rings.

The former pimp and longtime friend of the rapper became Tomi Rae's confidante earlier this year when she started to fight for a share of Brown's estate.

Magic Juan said: "She says I'm the only one to make her cry and smile at the same time."

But Bishop admitted that he has to keep the relationship quiet because her lawyers believe it would not go down well in court if she were linked to the colourful character.

He said: "They won't let us have it that way, and I understand."

But Tomi Rae has denied that she is in a relationship with the former pimp and insisted they are just close friends, saying: "I gave him a ring, but it was just a gift. As far as I'm concerned, I'm the Godmother of Soul and I have no intentions of being with anybody else."

Soul legend James Brown died on Christmas Day last year.