Former child star Corey Feldman is wracked with guilt following the death of Michael Jackson - because he never had the chance to mend his broken friendship with the late legend.

The Thriller hit-maker befriended The Goonies actor as a teen, and the pair was often seen together at Hollywood events kitted out in similar outfits. However, their friendship began to falter as Feldman grew older, and the pair dramatically severed their relationship in 2001.

Feldman was even called to testify at Jackson's child molestation trial in 2005, and although he denied the star had interfered with him as a youth, he went on to slam his former mentor, reportedly saying, "He did real damage in my overall life. Michael would sit and talk to me for hours and he would listen. Then, he would get bored."

Nevertheless, Feldman has been left grief-stricken since learning of the singer's death from a heart attack on Thursday - insisting they missed their chance to reconcile.

In a statement to TMZ.com, he writes, "I come to you today with great sadness, acknowledging the loss of the greatest entertainer in the history of mankind. For me he was more than that, he was my idol, he was a role model, he was someone to cry to when my childhood was unbearable, he was a brother, he was a dear friend. Unfortunately Michael and I had a falling out on September 10th 2001 and that broken friendship had never been repaired. I have stayed close with his family through the years."

"As a matter of fact my wife and I attended LaToya's birthday thrown by Janet three weeks ago... Michael was supposed to be there and we were supposed to try and talk things out. Michael didn't show because he was stuck in rehearsals for his upcoming tour."

"I am filled with tremendous sadness and remorse. All I choose to remember from this point is the good times we shared and what an inspiration he was to me and the rest of the world. Nobody will ever be able to do what Michael Jackson has done in this industry, and he was so close to doing it all again."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)