David Gest denies ITV axe

David Gest has denied claims that his ITV contract was terminated early by bosses.

The I'm A Celebrity star was a judge on talent show Grease Is The Word this year, and also starred in his own reality series This Is David Gest. Following disappointing ratings for both shows, ITV's programming chief Simon Shaps announced earlier this month that there would be no new projects for Gest.

However, Liza Minelli's ex-husband has insisted that it was his decision to leave the channel, because he had other work lined up.

He told The Sun: "My lawyers negotiated an early release so I could host The Friday Night Project on Channel 4."

Gest is now planning to embark on a comedy tour next year.