Ross shamed in new biography

Singing legend Diana Ross is a difficult and demanding boss who fires staff on a whim, according to a new biography.

Author J Randy Taraborrelli claims Ross sacked her entire staff when unflattering stories appeared in the press and also blacklisted a number of former assistants she had fired.

N Diana Ross - due for release in September - Ross is also accused of using her daughter Tracee to spy on staff and report back if they misbehaved, reports the New York Daily News.

In one incident Taraborelli claims Ross' former personal assistant Michael Browne was chastised for failing to hide $100,000 (€148,000) worth of presents on a private jet carrying her and her daughters to Las Vegas.

She is also accused of upstaging former Supremes bandmate Florence Ballard during her own funeral, by announcing to the congregation over a microphone that she and fellow Supreme Mary Wilson wanted to have a silent prayer.

Taraborelli claims it was obvious "the last thing (Wilson) wanted to do was go up to the altar and be the centre of attention."