Akon has denied his collaboration with Michael Jackson was pulled due to the King of Pop's recent legal problems - insisting their recording sessions were scrapped because of an internet leak.

The singer teamed up with Jackson on the track Hold My Hand, but the song was pulled at the last minute from Akon's latest album Freedom.

Reports suggested the track was scrapped as a result of Jackson's recent legal case with an Arab sheikh - who settled out of court with the Thriller legend in November over claims Jackson breached a music contract.

But Akon has slammed the rumours - insisting he removed the tune from his new LP after it illegally made its way online.

And despite the urban star's disappointment over the unreleased recording, he is adamant the two will work together again soon.

He tells The Daily Star, "Musically we were on the same level and we wanted it to be special. We wanted it so that when people got my album, it was something that was never heard. But the leak stopped those plans.

“We will be doing more things together in the future, though."