'Nuts' Gest to tread the boards

Gest was Liza Minnelli's husband for less than 18 months

Theatre impresario David Gest will tour the UK next year with a musical stage show featuring guest appearances from Shalamar, Gloria Gaynor and others.

The show, entitled David Gest Is Nuts - My Life as a Musical, opens in London's Hammersmith Apollo next February before travelling around the country.

"Considering I have no real talent this is quite a feat," said the 54-year-old.

The former I'm a Celebrity contestant remains best known for his short-lived marriage to singer Liza Minnelli.

But he has since reinvented himself as a TV personality thanks to his judging role on ITV1 talent search Grease is the Word.

'Legendary'

The musical tells the story of Gest's life with comedy and music and will feature 20 top five records performed by the original artists.

"We never thought we would see the day David Gest would sing and dance in public," said Gest's friend Michael Jackson in a statement.

"Considering David can't sing and can't dance it will be amazing to see just how nuts he gets on stage."

Jackson's brother Tito echoed his sibling's sentiments, saying the production was sure to be "an entertaining show".

"The fact that David will be singing with so many legendary artists is scaring Michael and I to death," he continued.

The first two shows, will raise funds for the Caudwell Children charity for terminally ill children, of which Gest is an ambassador.