Jackson to help with Geller vows

Jackson arrived at his speaking engagement in Oxford on crutches

LONDON, England -- Pop superstar Michael Jackson is following his appearance at the Oxford Union with more ceremonial duties.

The singer, who gave a lecture on child care, was due to appear as best man at a service marking the renewal of psychic spoon bender Uri Geller's wedding vows.

Jackson, 42, who is on a short visit to Britain, has been friends for many years with Geller, who is renewing his vows to his wife Hannah at their home in Sonning, Berkshire.

Jackson, who is on crutches after breaking his foot, was expected to pass Geller a gold wedding ring in a blessing ritual performed by his mentor, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.

More than 130 guests were due to attend Wednesday's "low-key" private service, including broadcaster David Frost, Bee Gee Barry Gibb, Eurythmics star Dave Stewart and U.S. magician David Blaine.

On Tuesday Jackson called for a "Children's Universal Bill of Rights" during an appearance at Oxford University.

He told an audience he had missed out on a normal childhood and said a new generation of youngsters was growing up with material wealth but no love in their lives.

Breaking down in tears as he reflected on his own early years, he said: "I wanted more than anything else to be a typical little boy. I wanted to build tree houses, have water balloon fights and play hide and seek with my friends."

During his visit Jackson is due to make an appearance at the 10th annual Michael Jackson Day at London's Apollo Theatre.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Uri Geller
The Michael Jackson World Network
Heal the World Foundation
The Oxford Union

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