King of Pop living in Royal County

TROUBLED pop star Michael Jackson is hiding away in an old country pile in Co Meath, a location he has chosen to mastermind his forthcoming album.

Jackson is hoping to restore his status as a mover in the music industry after the disastrous bombing of his last album.

The new material has been described by the Jackson camp as “edgy street” music.

Home these days for the 48-year-old is Grouse Lodge, Westmeath, an old country mansion which he shares with his children Prince Michael, nine; Paris, eight and four-year-old Prince Michael II, aka Blanket.

The producer who crafted a succession of hits for the Black Eyed Peas, Ron ‘Neff U’ Feemster has been working with Jackson here, and he believes the results will resurrect the pop star’s battered career.

He said: “He’s ready to take over the world. He’s got some hot tunes.”

Michael Jackson’s last effort, a greatest hits album, last year sold just 8,000 copies in the US in its first week of release.

He faces a struggle to repair his image and repay debts that prosecutors in his child abuse trial said amounted to $300m (€237m).

’Access Hollywood’ TV reporter and co-host Billy Bush travelled to Jackson’s country hideaway to interview the singer recently.

He described “a quaint studio built inside the grounds of an old stone classic Irish estate... it’s the new creative home of Michael Jackson.”

Bush said: “First impression I had was that he looked healthy. Fit. As his new landlord told us, artists come to his estate for the experience of getting away... for peace and tranquility.

“When the music was rolling and he didn’t have me asking him questions, one could see sparks of life and energy. He hummed a little and at one point got up and walked to the back of the room where he could move a little to the music... he was almost dancing.”

Jackson, he confirmed, was there with his children. “I never saw them but the studio’s owner, said they were having a ball, playing with his children and enjoying the exquisite countryside. According to the owner, Michael gets up in the morning and makes breakfast for them... usually porridge and fruit. I find myself hoping that Michael’s life is as normal as possible. Of course, it isn’t. Does he drive? Apparently, occasionally and he even had a cell phone before losing it a day later,” Bush reported.