Michael Jackson recorded an album of Robert Burns poems at his studio in California, friend David Guest has revealed.

Gest, who featured in the recording sessions, said the pair both regard Burns, who died in 1796, as “our favourite poet in the world”.

He said they put a contemporary pop-twist on the poet's lyrics.

"Michael and I were originally going to do a musical on his life with Gene Kelly directing and Anthony Perkins as executive producer - but they both died,” he told the Daily Record.

"So Michael and I put all the poems to contemporary music in his studio in Encino.

"We did 'Ae Fond Kiss', 'Tam O'Shanter' and all that. We turned his work into show tunes. It is beautiful and I still have the recordings.”

Michael Jackson celebrates his 50th birthday on Friday (August 29th).

(by Jason Gregory)