David Gest - David Gest Responsible For Surgery

David Gest blames himself for having too much plastic surgery.

The 56-year-old TV star-and-concert promoter was reported yesterday (08.12.09) to have been encouraged by his late friend Michael Jackson to have several operations, but insists it was all his own decision.

David - whose cosmetic procedures include two facelifts and a nose realignment operation - said: "On 'Celebrity Come Dine With Me', I discuss the plastic surgery I had done between 1980-1981 and blame only myself for being so foolish, especially not Michael Jackson nor anyone else. I was an idiot. I look back at that time and think of myself as being so stupid, and was very appreciative of Michael's support and being there when I went through all that."

David appears on the Christmas special of the British dinner party TV show 'Celebrity Come Dine With Me'.

The flamboyant star also revealed he had his cheek implants removed after having a surgery epiphany.

He told BANG Showbiz: "It was my idea to put in a clef chin and cheek bones - not Michael's. Sometimes when you are young you are foolish and you get carried away. I remember I was looking in the mirror in an office building when I was with Band of Gold singer Freda Payne. I was mortified and almost fainted. I had the cheekbones removed a week later. I've come to realise that it's not what's on the outside, but it's what's on the inside that counts."

David is currently putting the finishing touches to his brand new 90-minute special 'David Gest: My Best Friend Michael' which will feature unseen footage of the 'Thriller' singer and a never-before-seen interview between David and Michael.

David said: "Michael was my best friend and was much tougher than people know. He had a great sense of humour and was never one to mince words - especially in business. My new TV special will show the world the real Michael Jackson as you've never seen him before."

David's award-winning concert production 'Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration', the singer's last live concert appearance, is also being aired in the UK in December.

The show will air on UK TV station Five at 10pm on Monday December 21 and on New Year's Eve (31.12.09) at 9pm.