Minnelli confirms reality show

The series - called Liza and David - will follow the singer and her husband David Gest, and will be shown on music channel VH1 in the United States from October.

It comes after the success of the fly-on-the-wall series about wild rocker Ozzy Osbourne.

Gest said although the couple were fans of The Osbournes, their series would be "a totally different type of show".

It will include performances from Minnelli's friends in the music world, plus footage of "intimate" dinner parties at the couple's New York penthouse and glimpses of their daily private lives.

"We're hoping to have people like Dr Dre, Mary J Blige, Usher, Alan Jackson," Gest said.

"Everybody from current people to legends like George Jones, Al Green, Barry White. Liza will be singing duets with people. It's kind of like a jam in the house.

"We both love every type of music from hip hop and pop to country and rock. We plan to introduce our viewers to great music from every genre."

Gest joked that an intimate evening at their house was like their wedding - which was an extravagant event with guests including Michael Jackson, Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross.

But it will not be a no-holds-barred view of Minnelli daily life.

"I was brought up a certain way... and I won't let anyone in the bedroom or in the bathroom, or things like that," the singer said. "You have to have some privacy."

Viewers will get an insight into how the Cabaret star has managed to fight her way back to good health after battles with alcoholism, weight problems and viral encephalitis.

Minnelli, 56, is the daughter of Judy Garland, and married Gest, a theatre producer, in New York in March - her fourth wedding.