A high court ruling in California yesterday (May 15th) has lifted the ban on gay marriage, it has been revealed.

California's supreme court has struck down state law meaning that same-sex couples will be allowed to tie the knot in a civil ceremony in as little as a month.

Following the ruling, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres revealed that she and Ally McBeal actress girlfriend Portia de Rossi will wed.

An anonymous insider told the Associated Press that DeGeneres made the announcement while taping The Ellen DeGeneres Show with de Rossi in the audience.

The audience allegedly burst into applause at the presenter's wedding ideas.

California now joins Massachusetts as the only two US states which have legalised gay civil partnership. California chief justice Ron George stated that the ban had been "unconstitutional".

DeGeneres recently celebrated turning 50 with a carnival party at Warner Bros Studios.

Newly-weds Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were among the famous guests bearing birthday gifts for the star.