Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am has told fans of Michael Jackson to wait patiently for the singer's new album.

Will.i.am, who has been working with Jackson on the record, said the singer had “a different pace” to other musicians.

"There's all these artists in the world like Neo, Chris Brown and Usher, Justin Timberlake, Fergie and Rihanna and then there's Michael Jackson,” he told the BBC.

"Michael Jackson has a different pace and you can not put Michael Jackson in that category especially when a lot of those artists have been inspired by Michael Jackson.

"So Michael Jackson is gonna release his record when he releases his record."

Jackson has been expected to release the album, his first since 2001's 'Invincible', this year.

US R&B star Ne-Yo, another of Jackson's collaborators, said recently that the star was “nervous” about what fans will think of the album.

(by Jason Gregory)