Jackson inspired young cancer patient

AN Exeter mum talked to Michael Jackson about her cancer when he visited the city when she was a girl.

Lauren Seatherton, 22, of Hillyfield Road, Whipton, was suffering with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, when she met the entertainer at St James's Park in 2002.

She was a 14-year-old schoolgirl at Clyst Vale Community College, Broadclyst, and the meeting with the King of Pop, who died last week aged 50, had been arranged as a surprise.

Jackson had been invited to the ground by his friend and then co-director of the football club, Uri Geller.

Lauren said: "I was in a local dance school at the time and one of the mum's organised it all without telling me.

"It was wonderful. I went to the ground to see Michael and he spoke to me at some length about my cancer.

"He was so very positive and told me to think strong and be strong. He was very inspirational and they were real words of wisdom.

"I suppose it was all a bit surreal in a way. His appearance was a little weird but when you spoke to him he came across as very nice.

"I've been clear for seven years now and have had two children — Harrison, four, and Finley, two, even though I was told at the time I wouldn't be able to have children."