Fat's Why Liza Split

Liza Minnelli has broken up with husband David Gest just 16 months after their lavish, star-studded wedding in New York.

The 57-year-old singer and actress is said to be in Manhattan, while concert promoter Gest, 49, has reportedly gone to Hawaii.

Rumours of a split began four months ago after they cancelled plans for a wedding anniversary party for 1,200 people.

Their reasons were the then-looming war in Iraq and Minnelli's admission into a rehabilitation programme for her addictions to alcohol and painkillers.

But the Sun paints a much blacker picture.

Talking on 'So Graham Norton,' Gest told how Minnelli became "hugely fat" while ill last year.

A source said "Liza was furious. She is very sensitive about her weight."

Gest has been widely credited for helping her regain her health after years of problems and helped with the successful relaunch of her career but one friend branded Gest a control freak who wanted to run Liza's life.

Her publicist has said: "I can confirm that they're separated but that's all I know."