Grease Is The Word judge, David Gest is due to launch his new reality television show on ITV this week called: This is David Gest.

In a recent newspaper interview with The Mirror, David revealed that he suffered at the hands of his father throughout his childhood.

He told The Mirror: “Dad and I never developed a bond because of all the beatings. He didn’t attack me every day, but would hit me for really silly things like eating an extra slice of cake.

“It was his way of showing power and he genuinely thought he was righting a wrong. But when he lashed out, he did it with such vengeance that it left a lifelong impact. Why would you beat a young child so much just for eating candy?

“Those beatings affected me so much that when dad died when I was 23, I felt nothing at his funeral. We were not close so I didn’t know him, respect him or appreciate him. Besides, he taught me not to cry, so I didn’t then. Now it is hard for me to cry and I wish I could do it more.”