Lifetime yesterday made official a casting decision rumoured for months. The network says Lohan will star in Liz and Dick, with production set to begin in early June.

There was no mention of who would play Burton or when the film would air.

Taylor and Burton met as co-stars of the 1963 epic Cleopatra. They fell in love as the world looked on, left their respective spouses and got married.

Then they divorced, only to remarry and divorce again.

In recent years the 25-year-old Lohan has gained her own measure of notoriety.