I've done a lot of wrong things in my life, but I'm not a criminal

R Kelly

Kelly has been hit with a string of lawsuits from women who say the star, 33, had sex with them when they were below the legal age of consent.

He received his third lawsuit last week when a girl said he made her pregnant at the age of 16, forcing her to have an abortion.

Lawyers for the chart-topping singer said he will fight this case after settling two previous lawsuits out of court.

"I've done a lot of wrong things in my life, but I'm not a criminal, I'm not a monster," he told the BET Tonight with Ed Gordon show.

Videos of a man resembling Kelly having sex with a 14-year-old girl and other women have been sold on US streets and on the internet.

"I want America to know that you can't believe everything you hear, and nowadays, you can't believe everything you see," he said.

"I can say it in all confidence that it's not me because I didn't do it."

Police

Kelly said he settled the first two lawsuits because he wanted to end the cases quietly and avoid "degrading everyone concerned".

Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash

He said he knew the two girls who made the accusations - but denied any improper involvement with them.

The woman behind the third lawsuit, now 20, is seeking $50,000 (�34,000) damages.

Police in the singer's home town of Chicago, Illinois, are investigating the claims. The age of consent in Illinois is 17 years old.

Chart success

He was also rumoured to have married late singer Aaliyah when she was 15 years old - the union was said to have been anulled.

R Kelly, whose real first name is Robert, has had hits including I Believe I Can Fly, Bump 'n Grind and Satisfy You.

He has also worked as a producer with artists including Michael and Janet Jackson, Celine Dion and the Isley Brothers.

He was worried about the effect the allegations were having on his career, he said.

"But most of all I'm concerned about my life... I'm trying to protect my life right now."

'I need help'

Fans should have faith in him and "focus on my music", he said.

He said he was seeking help from a pastor for other problems - which he did not specify - and to help make him a better person.

"I feel that I need help for that, I'm getting help for that," he said.

"I've done a lot of things in my life right now that I'm trying to get help for."