Cliff Richard to team up with The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5 are set to team up with Sir Cliff Richard.

The singing siblings - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy - are earmarked to collaborate with the 'Congratulations' hitmaker on producer David Gest's new album of duets between Cliff and various Motown stars.

A source said: "Cliff and members of the Jackson 5 could be one of the collaborations for the album. Hopefully they'll be recording something in the spring."

David was best friends with the group's late brother, Michael Jackson, and has remained close to the family since the 'Wanna Be Startin' Something' singer's death in June 2009 from acute Propofol intoxication.

Tito has said of their friendship: "David had one of those rare friendships with Michael where Michael could always be himself.

"As teenagers and into their 20s they were inseparable and were always getting into trouble and playing jokes on everyone. David was the other brother by another mother to Michael and I.

"He was never afraid to stand up to Michael and tell him the truth, whether he wanted to hear it or not."