HOLLYWOOD celebrity David Gest has revealed that he loves York so much he wants to live here.

He also told The Press that members of the Jackson family would soon discover the delights of the city as well, because they would be coming to stay as his guest.

David, who was a close friend of Michael Jackson and recently launched a new documentary film about the late pop legend Michael Jackson – The Life Of An Icon, has regularly been seen in York in recent weeks, sparking speculation that he might be seeking to live here.

Speaking after enjoying a meal of fish and chips at Drakes Fisheries in Low Petergate – and then going behind the counter to serve a few startled customers – he confirmed he was looking to buy a home in York.

He said: “I love this city very much. I have always thought York is a little place of heaven. I love the old cobbles and the fudge shops.”

Asked whether living in York might make his work in London and America difficult, he said it was quite possible to commute.

He added that he had friends living in the area, including Blackburn Rovers and former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

David, who starred in ITV’s hit reality show I’m a Celebrity in 2006 and is the former husband of Hollywood film star Liza Minelli, said he had just come back from filming in Scotland for a BBC and Sky programme about the poet Robbie Burns.

He said he would be making a major announcement soon which would bring major stars from the entertainment world around England, including York, but he could not go into further details at this stage.

He also revealed he was in the process of setting up a music management company, called Positive Control, with his manager Jaine Brent, which was looking for “credible, serious and talented musicians” who did not want to go through the route of TV shows such as The X-Factor to achieve success.

Drake’s manager Tracie Suter, who invited The Press to the shop to photograph David Gest, said she and other staff had done a double take when the celebrity had arrived at the restaurant with Jaine. “They just turned up, “ she said. “He asked someone for a good place to eat fish and chips and they directed him here.”

David Gest has produced more than 100 shows throughout the world, including Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration and the triumphant comeback on Broadway of Liza Minnelli in "Liza's Back!" as well as the American Cinema Awards for 14 years and the International Achievement In Arts Awards for 5 years. The award-winning producer’s Los Angeles based company, Extreme Entertainment Enterprises, created the television special ‘Dionne Warwick: 45th anniversary special, in which more than 100 stars participated.