Michael Schumacher's close pal reveals truth behind his 'appearance at daughter's wedding'

Reports in Germany suggested Michael Schumacher attended his daughter's wedding earlier this year but ex-Formula 1 star Johnny Herbert has rubbished the claims in an interview

Ex-Formula 1 star and Le Mans winner Johnny Herbert has cast doubt over claims that Michael Schumacher attended his daughter's wedding.

Herbert has labelled the suggestions as 'fake news' after reports from Germany noted that Schumacher was present at the wedding of Gina-Maria and her husband Iain Bethke. The Ferrari legend has not been seen in public in more than a decade following his tragic skiing accident.

News of the seven-time world championship's presence at the family's £27million villa in Majorca caused a stir with wife Corinna fiercely protective of her husband's privacy, only a select few trusted friends and relatives had previously been allowed to visit him. Only a handful of people within and around the Schumacher family are said to know the details of his condition.

Schumacher continues to require round-the-clock medical care after his life-changing crash. Though he survived, the former racer spent months in a medically induced coma before being allowed to return to the family home on Lake Geneva in September 2014.

Reports suggested measures were taken to ensure the privacy of Schumacher with guests required to leave their mobile phones at the door to avoid photographs. Former Bennetton racer Herbert knocked down the suggestion his friend was present however.

“It will always be a closed shop," he told Flashscore. "The most recent rumour was he attended his daughter’s wedding. Unfortunately, from what I understand that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it.”

Neurosurgeon Jussi Posti has previously called out the claims as highly unlikely, due to the condition Schumacher is said to be in. The rumoured condition of the 55-year-old would ensure his attendance would pose great difficulty Posti notes, though Schumacher has previously been flown from the family's home to their Majorcan villa.

"If a hospital has been built in his house, with everything medicalised around him, it seems that he has been in hospital most of the time," Posti told Iltalehti. "Based on the information available, I don't think he leads a very active life.

"Everything points to him being unwell. As bedridden patients, most people become so frail and stiff that it is no longer possible to get them out of bed after so many years."

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