Gest: Liza Minnelli 'had herpes'

Liza Minnelli had herpes and did not tell her husband about it until after they were married, it was claimed yesterday.

The 60-year-old actress caught the sexually transmitted disease before meeting David Gest but kept it quiet at first, his lawyers alleged.

It is the latest twist in their bitter divorce battle which has been raging since they split in July 2003.

'David was devastated when he found this out a year after they had been together and six months after they were married,' an insider told the New York Post.

The Hollywood producer never contracted the disease but his lawyers said they intend to make Minnelli's medical condition a major issue in the divorce.

If Minnelli had herpes before March 2002, that would be fraud and their prenuptial agreement would be thrown out, they said. That would allow him to go after the Oscar-winner's fortunes.

But Minnelli hit back and accused Gest, 53, of making her ill. The star was 'living in fear' during her marriage because Gest was ' trying to poison her with drugs', according to papers filed at Manhattan Supreme Court in New York.

The couple married in a lavish ceremony in March 2002. Michael Jackson was best man and Elizabeth Taylor was maid of honour.