Late soul legend James Brown was a "serial bigamist", according to new court claims.

Velma Warren Brown, 73, has stated to a South Carolina court that Brown went on to marry again, despite never legally ending their 1953 marriage.

Her lawyer David Bell stated, "There was never a formal separation or a divorce. They went their separate ways but he always kept in touch."

However, lawyers representing several of Brown's alleged children - who are fighting over the singer's estate - claim Warren Brown remarried herself.

Brown passed away last Christmas Day.