Oprah Winfrey denies rumours about sexuality

American talk show host Oprah Winfrey has denied rumours she is in a lesbian relationship with long-term friend Gayle King, saying the claims about their closeness "irritate" her.

The 56-year-old queen of daytime television has been with partner Stedman Graham since 1986 and she gave a tearful interview to Barbara Walters where she spoke about her 20-year friendship with King.

"I have said we are not gay enough times. I am not lesbian. I am not even kind of lesbian. That irritates me because it means somebody must think I'm lying," she said.

"That's number one, number two, why would you want to hide it? That is not the way I run my life. She is the mother I never had, the sister everybody would want, the friend that everybody deserves. I don't know a better person."

Oprah, who is currently in Australia, gave the interview as part of the process of ending her talk show, which will conclude next September after 25 years on air.