The BBC has clapped back at criticism over the use of Jackson 5 song ABC in a CBeebies show following the recent allegations made against Michael Jackson in the Leaving Neverland documentary.
The 1970 hit appeared in a recent episode of Magic Hands, which helps children learn British Sign Language by translating famous songs and poems.
There was a backlash from parents who questioned the use of the song in the wake of the child sex abuse allegations made against the late singer, which his family has vehemently denied.
The BBC has since defended the use of the song in a statement to The Sun, which read: “This song was recorded and performed by the programme’s own production for a programme specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing children.”
The Jackson family slammed their claims in a series of damning statements, likening the documentary to a “public lynching”.
The King of Pop’s daughter Paris, 21, previously praised her father’s “good heart” and told her Twitter followers that the documentary would not tarnish his legacy.
At the time she wrote: “Do you really think that it’s possible to tear his name down? Like do you truly believe they stand a chance? Relax and have peace.”
She later said it was “not her role” to defend Jackson after responding to a fan question about being “provoked” by tabloids.
She added that while she was shifting her focus to the “bigger picture”, she fully supported her cousin Taj for backing his legacy.
Robson and Safechuck previously testified on Jackson’s behalf when a civil case was brought against the singer back in 1993 by the family of Jordan Chandler but have since changed their stance on Jackson.
Safechuck filed a lawsuit against Jackson in 2013, with Robson doing the same the year after but both cases were dismissed in 2017.
