Michael Jackson’s father Joe Jackson opened his heart about the King of Pop’s death, and admitted: “I do believe it was foul play.”

Mr Jackson insisted that he and his wife should be left to bring up Jacko’s children – and hinted that they are already showing potential as future stars.

And he also paid an astonishing tribute to his dead son’s legacy as the King of Pop. “My memory of Michael? The greatest entertainer who ever lived,” Mr Jackson said.

However, the most revealing part of Jackson’s interview concerned the investigation into Michael’s death, making it clear that the family is still seeking answers. “I just couldn’t believe what was happening to Michael, because… I just couldn’t believe it,” Joe recalled.

“And I do believe it was foul play – I do believe that.” Asked if he was aware of drugs that Michael is suspected to have been abusing, the star’s father said: “I don’t know anything about the drugs, I don’t even know the name of them.

“I do know that whatever he had taken was to make him rest because he had been working so hard and drugs were supposed to make him relax and sleep.” He added: “But anyway he didn’t wake up. He never woke up. Michael died in his sleep.”

He said Jacko’s mother Katherine is “taking it real hard”. “You start talking about Michael and she starts crying,” he said. Mr Jackson is keen for his son to be laid to rest at Neverland, but fears it will not be allowed.

But he had no hesitation when asked who should look after Jackson’s three children, Prince Michael, 12, daughter Paris, 11, and ‘Blanket’, seven. “Their grandmother Katherine and I,” he insisted.