JACKSON, MI – British television producers, of all people, have evidently cracked Jackson’s most intriguing paternity case.

On March 26, they are scheduled to reveal whether Tim Farrell, a big-rig truck mechanic in Jackson, is the son of Elvis Presley.

“I’ve been wanting to know this since I was 23,” said Farrell, who is 58. “It’s been this big question mark.”

A Tennessee native, Farrell never claimed to be Elvis’ son. That was his mother’s doing, and for many years he wanted no part of it.

His mother announced in 1978 that Farrell, then a young nightclub singer, was conceived in 1954 during her one-night-stand with Elvis in Memphis. She had circumstantial evidence suggesting it could be true, but no proof.

Newspapers printed her claims, and Farrell soon became so embarrassed by the attention that he gave up performing for 26 years.

Naturally, he wondered if his mother's story was true. Who wouldn’t?

“It doesn’t make any difference if the answer is yea or nay,” Farrell said. “I just want to know.”

Starting in 2004, Farrell began asking the Presley estate for help with DNA testing. He was refused. He tried finding his own evidence but hit repeated roadblocks.

Going public with his search somehow lifted a burden that had forced Farrell off stage in 1980. He started performing again around Jackson in 2006.

Farrell sings and plays guitar in a band called "Jump Start," and his song "You Can Help" is on You Tube at http://ow.ly/ub1XA. Another song titled "My Left Shoe," a story told with talking instead of singing, can be heard online at http://ow.ly/ub1FT.

Three years ago, Farrell was ready to concede defeat in solving the Elvis Presley mystery.

“I tried everything there is to try,” he said. “I had pretty much given up.”

Out of the blue, someone representing a television show called "Dead Famous DNA" called Farrell from London in 2011.

Producers of the show somehow obtained purported clippings of Presley’s hair and did DNA testing for comparison with Farrell.

Film crews came to Jackson to interview Farrell in 2012 and again in 2013. He was filmed working at his Page Avenue shop, Farrell Fleet Services, and playing music at the Crouch Senior Center.

Farrell said the show will be broadcast throughout the United Kingdom on March 26 on Channel 4.

He knows the DNA findings, but signed an agreement promising not to tell before the show airs.

“This was my only and last chance to find out, and the answer is conclusive enough for me,” Farrell said.

Stay tuned to learn that answer soon, courtesy of the British entertainment industry.

-- Contact Brad Flory at brad@lifeinplaid.com