Bruce Jenner sex change: Wendy Williams courts controversy with 'he is a fame whore' claim

US talk show host Wendy Williams has branded Bruce Jenner a "fame whore" ahead of his highly-anticipated interview with Diane Sawyers.

The reality star, who has been the focus of sex-change rumours since 2014 when he reportedly had his Adam's apple surgically reduced, is expected to talk about his gender transition in the ABC special which airs on Friday (24 April).

But while his decision to go public with his transgender issues has garnered support from stars including comedian Russell Brand, actor Harry Cook, presenter Rylan Clark and celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, Williams accused him of being disingenuous and claimed that he needed to get his priorities in order.

Not one to mince her words, the 50-year-old TV personality who is behind The Wendy Williams Show, one of the most successful syndicated talk shows on US TV, blasted the 65-year-old former Olympian while discussing his forthcoming televised interview during her Hot Topics segment.

"I've reached a point with Bruce that even if I was home, the only reason I would watch it is that because I know on Monday, this is the biggest story and I have to watch. If this wasn't an obligation due to my career, I wouldn't watch," she said.

"I wouldn't watch because I feel duped by Bruce. When I started watching the show [Keeping Up With The Kardashians] and that woman would boss Bruce around and the children would run rough shot over him, I felt compassion for Bruce.

"He was supposed to be the rock of the family and I don't feel duped because he is turning into a woman, I feel duped because he is the same fame whore as the rest of the family."

She went on claim that he had forgotten his role as the patriarch/rock of the family and was ignoring the fact that his youngest child Kylie was going off the rails.

"Bruce has a daughter who is 17 who is involved with a 25-year-old father-of-one and she is high school dropout and she is messing with her face, and her boobs and her behind way too early in life. Bruce has bigger fish to fry than turning into Belinda."

Williams added that while she was "happy for anyone living in their own truth including Bruce transitioning" he should never have had children.

"You have kids to explain it to. You can't tell me Kylie is the only one not going along with this. Belinda shame on you!"

Her remarks provoked a strong response from the online community and polarised fans.

Meanwhile, a fourth promo video has been released ahead of Jenner's candid sit down with Sawyer.

"It's going to be an emotional rollercoaster, but somehow I'm gonna get through it," he tells Sawyer after welcoming the broadcaster into his home.

Bruce Jenner The Interview airs on ABC on Friday 24 April at 9pm ET / 8pm CT.