Marlon responds to Jackson Jive skit

Marlon Jackson has spoken out about the recent controversy caused when a comedy act performed a Jackson Five song wearing black face paint.

The performers, who called themselves the Jackson Jive, were criticised after they appeared on an Australian variety show wearing the make-up and afro wigs.

One man, who was playing the late Michael Jackson, was wearing white make-up.

When told about the skit by Access Hollywood, Marlon said: "Man, if they turned up looking like that in the United States!

"They probably weren't trying to be offensive about it or anything of that nature with the family."

Guest judge Harry Connick Jr gave the performance a zero score and admitted that he would never have agreed to appear if he had known about the group.

Marlon added: "We thank Harry for [speaking out], but we also understand that they weren't trying to be disrespectful for the family."

Dr Anand Deva, the frontman of the Jackson Jive, later apologised and insisted that the group, who have multicultural backgrounds, had not intended to offend people.