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Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor ‘axe Michael Jackson music after abuse allegations’

Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor have reportedly axed Michael Jackson’s music in the wake of abuse allegations.

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Both TV shows are said to have pulled MJ’s back catalogue from being performed on their respective new series later this year.

It follows documentary film Leaving Neverland: Michael Jackson and Me, which detailed claims from two men who alleged they had been sexually abused by Michael Jackson.

A source told The Sun newspaper of the BBC’s decision: “In light of the recent allegations there is concern viewers might be deterred by any reference to Michael Jackson, which has caused a lot of distress for some viewers, and want to ensure their audience has an enjoyable time watching.

“It is also feared dancers ­performing to an MJ track could be at a voting disadvantage. It seems the safest decision.”

A spokesperson for the BBC told the tabloid: “We consider each piece of music on its merits and decisions on what we play on different networks are always made with relevant audiences and context in mind.”

The X Factor is set to also drop use of Jackson’s songs for its upcoming series in the autumn, according to The sun.

The news comes as a number of radio stations also stopped playing Michael Jackson’s songs while a statue of the singer has been removed from the National Football Museum in Manchester.

Over 2 million viewers watched the documentary earlier this month, which aired in two parts on Channel 4 here in the UK.

The estate of the late Michael Jackson previously branded the allegations in the documentary “dated” and and “discredited”.

They said in a statement to TMZ: “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.”

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Relatives of Jackson have also defended him against the claims.

The singer’s nephew, Taj Jackson, told Reuters: “This is the 10-year anniversary of my uncle’s death. We should be mourning, but instead we are being bombarded with lies.”

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