Wednesday, 7 March, 2001, 11:43 GMT

Jackson to help Geller with vows

Popstar Michael Jackson will perform the best man duties when Uri Geller renews his weddings in a Jewish ceremony at his home on Wednesday.
The star, who addressed students at the Oxford Union on Tuesday night, is expected to pass Geller a gold ring when the psychic renews his weddings vows with his wife of 30 years, Hanna.

I chose Michael because he is a good friend and I wanted him to experience a Jewish wedding
Uri Geller
The service will be conducted by the pop singer and the psychic’s friend, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.

More than 100 guests are expected to attend the service at the couple’s home in Sonning, Berkshire.

Broadcaster Sir David Frost, Bee Gee Barry Gibb, Justin Hayward from the Moody Blues, Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox and Nigel Mansell have all been invited to the wedding.

Jackson and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Jackson with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
In a recent interview, Geller said he had no concerns about press intrusion at the ceremony.

He said: “Do you think I’m important enough for helicopters? Anyway, there’ll be a marquee.”

There are conflicting reports over when the psychic and the singer first met.

Some reports say they met in the late 80s, while Geller himself recently told a newspaper that he met Jackson three-and-a-half-years ago through Mohammed Al Fayed.

“I chose Michael because he is a good friend and I wanted him to experience a Jewish wedding,” Geller said.

‘Protect children’

“I like him, he’s a friend,” he added.

In his speech to the Oxford Union Jackson called for a universal bill of rights to protect children.

The star, along with Geller and Rabbi Boteach, have founded a children’s charity, Heal the Kids, with the aim of improving the lives of children.

The singer was given four standing ovations by the students before, during and after his speech.