ELIZABETH TAYLOR - LIZ TAYLOR'S PUBLICIST DENIES 'LIFE SUPPORT' REPORTS

Dame Elizabeth Taylor is not gravely ill, according to her publicist, despite newspaper reports to the contrary.

The Daily Mail newspaper had claimed the Oscar-winning actress had been hospitalised with heart failure and had been out on life support.

However, her publicist Dick Guttman has rubbished the claims, saying the 76-year-old is "fine".

"The rumours, which began in England, about her health are dramatic, overstated and untrue," he said in a statement issued to Entertainment Tonight.

"Her hospital visit was precautionary. She will be returning home shortly."

He added: "At present, she is surrounded by family, friends and fabulous jewels."

The National Velvet star, who was made an honorary Dame by the Queen in 2000, has suffered from a number of health problems in recent years and is confined to a wheelchair due to her osteoporosis.

A mother-of-four, she has broken her back five times, had a benign brain tumour removed and suffers from diabetes and congestive heart failure.

However, she denied claims she was suffering from Alzheimer's during a 2006 interview with CNN's Larry King.

"Oh come on, do I look like I'm dying?" she asked the talk show host.