Lionel Richie dismisses Kardashian paternity claims

Lionel Richie has dismissed claims he's Khloé Kardashian's birth father.

The reality TV star has been dogged by claims her late father Robert Kardashian isn't her real dad and most recently Lionel became the focus of paternity rumours.

But the All Night Long singer insists the reports have no basis in truth.

While noting the Kardashian sisters often visited his home, Lionel, who is father to reality TV star Nicole Richie, insists he's "not the dad".

"No! Of course not," he told Celebuzz. "But you know what, they are my kids. I mean, they grew up in my house," he added, clarifying: "But no I'm not the dad."

Rumours about Khloé's birth father first surfaced after she discussed her doubts about her biological parents on her family's show Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

While she threatened mother Kris Jenner she would have a paternity test conducted, the star never followed through.
Khloé dismissed claims linking her to Lionel earlier this month.

"I've had so many dads my head is spinning," she mused to Gossip Cop.

She has previously entertained the rumours with humour.

In one incident in 2012, she laughed that Tracy Morgan was actually her father after the comedian poked fun at the speculation while on Conan O'Brien's late night talk show in the US.

"Its been really tough keeping it quiet but thank goodness he said something. Tracy Morgan is my father... Maury we no longer need you. LOL (sic)," she tweeted.

She's also said she's grown tired of the speculation, particularly from photographers following her every move.

"I learn so much from the paparazzi. LOL Apparently they know who my dad is.... :) Laughter is the best medicine (sic)," she wrote on the micro-blog.