Oprah Winfrey ... surprised that dad plans to write a tell-all book about her life. - Contributed

Bangshowbiz:

Oprah Winfrey's father is writing a book about her. The talk show host was reportedly surprised after discovering her dad, Vernon, is to pen a tell-all book about her life, without telling her first.

Winfrey told the New York Daily News: "It made me laugh recently when one of my assistants said, 'the Daily News is calling. They say they heard your father is writing a book about you'."

"I said, 'That's impossible. I can assure them it's not true.' But then my sister said, 'I think you should call your father'.'"

Working on it

"I called him and it turned out he is writing a book. The worst part of it was him saying, 'I meant to tell you I've been working on it'."

Winfrey confessed she was 'upset' and 'stunned' by 74-year-old Vernon's revelation.

She said: "The last person in the world who should be doing a book about me is Vernon Winfrey."

The Emmy award-winning TV star was 14 and pregnant when she left her mother's home to live with Vernon in Nashville.

Her baby tragically died just weeks old and Winfrey has credited her father with inspiring her to continue with her education.

Vernon, who plans to call his book 'Things Unspoken', has said Winfrey was "out of hand and an unruly child".

Winfrey, 53, said it would have been a "nice gesture" if her dad had told her in advance about the publishing deal, because they "have a good relationship". Vernon's project is the third book about her.

Earlier this month, an Illinois court dismissed extortion charges after Keifer Bonvillain requested $1.5 million from Winfrey claiming he had "embarrassing information" destined for a book.

And, Kitty Kelley is also working on a biography about the star. Winfrey said: "I'm not cooperating with it, but if she wants to write a book, fine. This is America. I'm not discouraging it or encouraging it."