DICK GREGORY - JACKO SUPPORTER DICK GREGORY ENDS FOOD FAST

Comedian and civil rights activist DICK GREGORY has ended a 40 day food fast that protested the treatment of his troubled friend MICHAEL JACKSON.

The 71-year-old veteran performer is determined to prove the THRILLER star, 45, isn't guilty of the multiple child molestation charges levelled against him last month (DEC03).

Gregory - whose weight dropped from 72 kilograms (159 pounds) to 56 kilograms (124 pounds) - survived his fast on a daily intake of a gallon of water mixed with a cup and a half of maple syrup and eight lemons, reports website PAGE SIX.

He says, "I would leave a child of mine with him, sure I would."