Jackson at centre of TV bidding war

Showbiz

13:30 27 June 2005

(BANG) - Michael Jackson is set to give his first TV interview since winning his child abuse trial - for a staggering US$10million.

The eccentric singer, who is said to be over US$200million in debt, is reportedly at the centre of a bidding war by several US TV networks for a world exclusive.

A source revealed: "Michael has purposely been keeping a low profile ever since his trial finished because he knows this will make TV programmes even keener to get that all important first interview.

"There has already been a flood of offers from TV stations who are battling with each other to get Michael's story and his feelings over what happened."

Veteran interviewer Barbara Walters is reportedly among the big names battling for the interview, as is talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who once interviewed Jackson and his ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley.

Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes footage taken by Jackson's family during the trial has reportedly been turned down by TV networks.

The singer's family had planned to broadcast the film in a six-part series as a rebuttal video to the controversial documentary which sparked Jackson's child abuse court case.

(c) BANG Media International