Singer Burns announces engagement

Burns (left) said he and partner Simpson met 'in a former life'

Celebrity Big Brother star Pete Burns has announced his engagement to boyfriend Michael Simpson.

The Dead or Alive singer, and his partner Simpson, showed off their skull-style engagement rings on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show.

"We've been together in a former life," said Burns, 46.

"I lost him a lifetime ago and I've been looking for him," he added. The singer recently divorced Lynne, his wife of 20 years.

'Symbolises soul'

Burns, who has had extensive cosmetic surgery, said the jewellery "symbolises that underneath all this there is bone and underneath that is soul".

He was among the final four contestants in last month's Channel 4 reality show Celebrity Big Brother.

During his appearance he angered fellow contestants by telling them that a coat he wore was made from illegal gorilla fur.

After police examination it was found to be monkey fur, however, and Burns did not face prosecution.

Dead or Alive's biggest hit, You Spin Me Round, re-entered the UK singles chart on Sunday at number five.