The late King of Pop did create a soundtrack for the third Sonic the Hedgehog title, according to the game's project manager.

Numerous reports in the games press since Jackson’s passing last week have mentioned the star’s alleged involvement with the game, but now the truth has come to light thanks to a behind-the-scenes article on the production of the videogame.

Speaking exclusively to games™ in August 2007, Roger Hector, then project-manager of the now-defunct studio Sega Technical Institute, said: “Michael Jackson was a very big fan of Sonic and he wanted to record a soundtrack for the game.”

“He came to STI and met with the team to discuss the design theme, story and feel of the game. He then went away and recorded an entire soundtrack that covered all of the worlds. It was fantastic. The music fitted perfectly for the game, and they had a distinctive ‘Michael Jackson’ sound.”

Hector also confirmed that Sega decided to shelve the collaboration due to bad publicity surrounding Jackson, who found himself at the centre of a scandal in November 1993.

“It was very late in the development process, and we had to quickly put together a complete  replacement music track,” revealed Hector, adding: “Howard Drossin, STI’s music guy, stepped in and did a great job, working around the clock to get it done. It was too bad nobody outside ever heard the Michael Jackson music.“