Blanket Jackson mute since Leaving Neverland release

Blanket Jackson pictured in 2011. Photo / Getty Images

Michael Jackson's son, Prince Michael "Blanket" Jackson II has reportedly stopped talking ever since Leaving Neverland premiered.

The documentary features explicit allegations of child sexual abuse against the late pop star.

Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire TV this week, a newphew of Jackson's - 45-year-old Taj - has claimed ever since the allegations arose with this new documentary, Blanket "isn't talking anymore" and "we're all worried about him".

Blanket's British godfather and Jackson's former best friend Mark Lester, has also voiced his fears for Blanket.

He told The Sun: "They try and shield him from the outside world, which may be not such a good thing. Shield them from certain things, certainly, but to keep him isolated is not right."

He appeared to back up the claims that Blanket was not speaking — but said the problem dated from long ago.

He said: "He kept himself to himself. He would just immerse himself in his own little world."

Lester also talked about how Blanket is kept hidden away by the Estate saying: "The Jackson estate don't want him to make money for anyone else. He's an heir to a billion-dollar trust.

"They have trust issues, especially with people who may think they want to take advantage of either Blanket, Paris or Prince (Blanket's 22-year-old brother) for their own financial gain.

"When you get super-wealthy you become very guarded and very mistrustful of a lot of people. It's just sad that this money issue would get in the way of them actually being able to have good friends.

"I would just like to reach out," he said, but added: "It would be a bit like you picking up the phone and going, 'I want to go and see the Queen'. You have to go through various channels."

Blanket was given his nickname by his father, who was inspired by the character Linus in cartoon strip Peanuts, who always carried a blanket with him.

Blanket was homeschooled before his father's death and is now at a private school. He is not allowed on social media and any photo featuring him is heavily vetted before being released by family members.

HBO's Leaving Neverland will air on TVNZ 1 on Sunday March 10 and Monday March 11 at 8.30pm and on TVNZ OnDemand.