E! series will follow Birkhead's life

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Larry Birkhead, the father of the late Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, says E! TV network is filming a U.S. reality TV series about his life.

The 35-year-old photographer, who gained instant notoriety after DNA tests revealed he was the father to the model's infant daughter Dannielynn, said the new E! show will air this year, The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal reported Sunday.

"The show's about me, so it's only right that I should have some say," Birkhead said of the production.

The Louisville native did recognize one potential drawback to the reality TV program.

"The more people see, the more people might get sick of me," he told the Courier-Journal.

Birkhead also acknowledged his sudden rise to the rank of celebrity came about through the death of Smith in 2007 of an accidental drug overdose.

"My story was like an entertainment story that became a news story because of all the tragedy," said Birkhead, who was awarded custody of Dannielynn after a highly publicized custody battle.