Michael Jackson's former British bodyguard says the star had a girlfriend in the months before he died Sky News

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MICHAEL Jackson had a secret long-term lover and "was as normal as everyone else", his British bodyguard has claimed.

Martial arts expert Matt Fiddes, from Barnstaple, Devon, was introduced to the pop star a decade ago by psychic Uri Geller. He last saw the King of Pop three months ago in London.

The 30-year-old admitted there was "someone special" in Jackson's life, but refused to identify the mystery woman. He said: "I'm not going to name who she is, but I think the family were aware that there was someone special in his life who he loved and adored and had his ups and downs with.

"I don't know how long they've been a couple. I know she's been with him for some time in different capacities but... it's up to her if she wants it to come out or the family to speak about this very private information."

Of the recent reunion in London, he said: "It was a quick visit. He was very upbeat and looking forward to his shows and seeing his fans. He was very positive and looked a bit trimmer, but Michael is a thin guy anyway.

"He was just getting in shape for his shows and trimming up. It's hard to believe what's happened, he's incredibly fit, and although he's 50, it's like he's in his 30s.

"I'm in total and utter shock, it's like a dream. I cannot understand.

"Everyone thought he was this weird freak, but when you're with him he's as normal as everyone else.

"We used to dress him up and sneak him out of his hotel room and do normal things in shops. People wouldn't know who he was — we wanted to give him a taste of the real life."

Fiddes, who volunteered his bodyguard services to Jackson after the singer complained security was expensive, was instrumental in getting members of the Jackson family, including Michael's mother Katherine and brothers Tito, Jermaine and Jackie to spend a summer holiday in Appledore last year.

He blamed the singer's death last Thursday on doctors who had supplied him with unnecessary medication, claiming they had "blood on their hands".

He also described how he and Geller tried to hide drugs and syringes from Jackson.

Fiddes said: "I never witnessed him actually taking drugs but I knew they were there and I confiscated packages, and Uri did too.

"And Uri confiscated injection equipment from his room ... Uri would scream at Michael, you know, intensely, to stop doing this but we were getting pushed out.

"I don't know how long they've been a couple. I know she's been with him for some time in different capacities but... it's up to her if she wants it to come out"

"The doctor had such an influence over Michael that we felt our efforts were falling on deaf ears.

"As far as I'm concerned they have Michael's blood on their hands, they know what they've done and there's people out there who could have helped, could have stepped in but didn't do for financial reasons.

"We went to great efforts to keep the doctors away. But as soon as we said anything and it gets back to Michael, Michael would have a screaming fit that we were interfering with his private life, that he knew what he was doing."

In an interview with The Sun newspaper, Fiddes recalled a 2003 trip to London when packages of drugs would arrive at Jackson's hotel from the US.

He said: "I would go and check on him. He would be drowsy and out of it.

"He would manage to walk to his bedroom and fall asleep on the bed - but then he would not wake up until two or three in the afternoon."

Fiddes said on one occasion the animal-loving star was so drowsy he missed out on a trip to London Zoo.

He said: "Michael had been sedated the night before and just wouldn't wake up. Uri went into his room - and was screaming at Michael.

"We were worried. We were shaking him, saying: 'Come on - wake up.' Uri was saying: 'What are you doing? Have you taken something?' Then he came round drowsy - and said he was jetlagged. He came round, but not enough to take him to the zoo. Uri had to make up an excuse for him."

Meanwhile, Jackson's body - which is reportedly riddled with injection marks - will not go on display at Neverland despite previous reports, his family has announced.

Fans mourning the death of the singer will have to wait for a public memorial at a venue which has not yet been decided, a spokesman said.

It had previously been suggested Jackson's body could be taken to the Californian property.

A statement released last night by Sunshine, Sachs & Associates, the public relations firm employed by the Jackson family, read: "Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland.

"Plans are under way regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly."