Julio's 'secret son' to make him a granddad

Javier Santos, 43, learnt last week that a court in his native Valencia had ruled he was indeed the son of Julio Iglesias, 75, based upon DNA evidence secured by a private detective in Miami, where the singer lives.

The case has been running since 1992 when Javier's mother, María Edite, filed a paternity suit.

Julio had refused to supply DNA, allegedly until the case was resolved, and his lawyer intends to present an appeal against the verdict.

According to Julio's solicitor, his client and María Edite only met briefly once at a party, and this was 'insufficient circumstantial evidence' of 'any relationship' between them which could have led to Javier's birth in 1976.

Javier has always said he does not care for Julio's money, fame or status, and merely wants 'closure' and 'to know where he comes from'.

He found out he was going to be a dad himself for the first time just days before his solicitor rang him to tell him the court had ruled he was indeed the legendary artist's child.

Javier believes the unborn baby brought him luck and 'justice'.

“I sent a letter to my father [Iglesias] to tell him I was expecting a baby,” Javier told the weekly magazine Semana.

“I didn't tell him he was going to be a granddad; I just said that I was going to be a dad.

“I would be delighted if [Julio] one day wanted to meet the baby. I think people become more sensitive as they age, so I'm hoping he will be mellowing.

“My siblings [the singer's other children, including chart-topping pop soloist Enrique Iglesias] do not know I'm going to be a father yet. I hope one day I can have some sort of relationship with them.”