JENNIFER ANISTON - STARS CALLED TO HELP KEEP RAPE CHARGE MASSEUR OUT OF JAIL

JENNIFER ANISTON and PENELOPE CRUZ are being asked to help keep a French celebrity masseur out of prison by defending his name in a rape trial.

THIERRY CHICHPORTICH (corr) stands accused of raping 12 women after drugging and blindfolding them.

But the massage master, who is nicknamed 'Golden Hands' in celebrity circles, insists he's innocent of all charges and he's hoping his celebrity clients will come forward with glowing character references.

The 44-year-old's lawyer PHILLIPE SOUSSI has confirmed he has written to star clients like Aniston, Cruz, JULIA ROBERTS and TINA TURNER in the hope that one or two of them will help their old friend in court.

Chichportich is particularly hopeful Aniston will show up for his upcoming trial because he felt they became instant friends when he massaged her at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002.

Soussi says, "Chichportish says Jennifer was a beautiful, sincere woman. She was charming towards him and she loved his company. I cannot think of a better character witness than Jennifer Aniston."