Fourth time lucky for love struck Minnelli

Liza Minnelli is to be married in a lavish New York ceremony.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor will be her maid of honour and Michael Jackson will give her away.

The star will tie the knot with her fourth husband, David Gest, in New York's St Patrick's Cathedral in February.

And the ceremony will also feature Whitney Houston singing "Here Comes the Bride".

Minnelli, 55, announced her engagement to Gest, 48, last month and is now converting to Catholicism to allow her to marry in America's premiere cathedral, the New York Post reported.

Her 48-year-old fiance produced Jackson's comeback concert in New York in September, where he met Minnelli, who has now recovered from debilitating hip-replacement surgery.

Jackson will also be best man at the ceremony. The last time he performed the role was when Dame Elizabeth wed her seventh husband, Larry Fortensky, from whom she is now divorced.

Minnelli's sister, Lorna Luft, expressed optimism for the marriage.

"Everybody was a little shocked when they heard the news," she said.

"But she sounded very happy when she invited me to the wedding."

Minnelli, the daughter of screen legend Judy Garland, has been divorced three times.