Michael Jackson's friend Uri Geller is to issue legal proceedings in Northern Ireland as part of his libel action against US TV network CNN.

His lawyers confirmed yesterday that an application will be made at the High Court in Belfast.

Geller — famed for bending spoons by what he says is mind power — had a close relationship with Jackson and acted as the pop star's best man in 2001.

He is suing over false allegations Jackson's dermatologist Dr Arnold Klein made in an interview broadcast by CNN. The action centres on claims that Geller personally benefited financially from setting up the singer's television interview with Martin Bashir.

Geller has consulted Belfast solicitors Johnsons, which has successfully represented him in a number of previous libel cases.

As CNN is based outside the jurisdiction, the application for leave to serve proceedings at its HQ in Atlanta is being brought under the Hague Convention.

Lawyer Paul Tweed said: “We are currently preparing an application for leave to serve legal proceedings outside the jurisdiction.”