Marie Osmond is going for the sympathy vote after reaching the final of US TV show Dancing With The Stars.

The singer/entertainer has credited the celebrity dance competition with distracting her from her personal problems, following the recent death of her father, her divorce and her son's rehab stint.

Marie told Larry King: "There's a lot of women out there like me. Women are resilient. We multi-task. We compartmentalise. We're like...water. We kind of flow in and out of things, making sure that everything is taken care of.

"And, honestly, the support, the feedback that I've gotten from the show, the show has been a gift to me because it makes you focus on something. And it kind of gives you a little time out.

And so it's been...a healthy diversion for me because it releases the endorphins and it's been a wonderful experience."

Marie also shocked TV viewers when she fainted live on air during the show in October.

She said later: “Once in a while it happens to me when I’m winded. I’m sorry.”