Gest launches a comedy career

David Gest, Liza Minelli’s bizarre ex-husband, is to embark on a career as a stand-up.

The reality TV contestant famed for his multiple plastic surgery procedures has announced a 13-date comedy tour at major venues next year.

He promises the tour, which kicks of on February 21 at the Manchester Apollo will be a ‘magical, unique and wild musical extravaganza’.

Gest will reveal some of the elements of his tour when he hosts Channel 4’s Friday Night Project on August 10, his spokesman has said.

‘Gest will give fans a sneak preview of the tour when he exclusively performs a number from the show on The Friday Night Project next month, with ten little people from DavidLand,’ according to a statement.

News of the tour comes after ITV announced that they were dropping Gest from their schedules.

Director of television Simon Shaps said: ‘We have no plans for him. There will be no new deal and no new projects. I'm not sure what he'd do next.’

However, Gest hit back, claiming it was him who had demanded to be released from his one-year contract so he could work on other shows – including the Friday Night Project.

His publicist Neil Reading, said Gest has been inundated with offers from other networks and production companies who ‘want to match his talent with ideas’

Gest said: ‘I truly hope that Mr Shaps was not trying to be misleading to the public or spilling sour grapes [sic] when he insinuated my show was not being picked up or that I was axed after I already told ITV I did not want to do another season in order to pursue other opportunities and work with other networks.’

Published: 18 Jul 2007