Pop icon Michael Jackson has hit out at reports he has abandoned his children's nanny, Grace Rwaramba, who has lupus disease, branding the claims as a "hilarious rumour".

Pop icon Michael Jackson has hit out at reports he has abandoned his children's nanny, Grace Rwaramba, who has lupus disease, branding the claims as a "hilarious rumour".

The Thriller star was accused of "acting like a child" in his treatment of his long-serving employee - the woman he was rumoured to have married last month - and left her to deal with her illness alone at her home in California.

A source told the New York Daily News on Tuesday: "Rwaramba is not doing well. She's ill, and she could use his spiritual, mental and financial support right now.

"I do believe Jackson has affection for Grace, but he acts like a child.

"He could at least give her a call and say, 'How are you doing, Grace? Do you need more doctors?' But it's never like that. It's always taking."

Jackson's spokes man Raymone Bain dismissed the latest rumours.

"I can guarantee she is not very ill. I've spoken to her ." - Wenn