Jacko used chimps as cleaners

Michael Jackson used his pet chimpanzees to clean Neverland ranch, his trial heard yesterday.

The creatures would help the star by dusting, cleaning windows and brushing the toilets, the jury heard.

In a clip of outtakes from Martin Bashir's ITV1 documentary Living With Michael Jackson, the singer described how he got his animals to help with household chores.

'They are very smart. Their DNA is identical to humans when you look under a microscope,' he said.

He also revealed his beloved pet chimp Bubbles was moved to a monkey sanctuary after he became too strong and started to rebel against him - like a teenage child.

He said: 'They are very, very strong. They are very powerful.'

In the video, which showed a relaxed looking Jackson sitting on a floor cushion in an emerald green silk shirt, he laughed and joked with British journalist Bashir.

He said that although the upkeep of Neverland cost him 'millions' each year, it was worth it for the happiness it brought visiting children. He said he employed between 150 and 200 people to run the ranch.

'That costs a lot of money,' he added. 'I get it all back if I see them [children] smile. That's all worth it.'

Asked why he wanted to make children happy he told Bashir: 'I've always just felt that they are very special to me. I see God through them. Everything I do is inspired by the children. I'm a nut for innocence. I love innocence. If it wasn't for the children. I would throw in the towel.'

And he invoked the memory of Princess Diana to explain why he felt he had to provide fun for youngsters.

He added: 'Especially now that Mother Teresa is not here, Princess Diana is not here, there's no voice for the kids.'

Jackson also joked about the Pope - saying he had trouble telling the difference between the various Catholic leaders.

'Why do they all look alike? That confuses me.'