Bette Midler compares Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to performing on the Titanic

Bette Midler has compared her two-year residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to performing on the Titanic.

The 'Wind Beneath My Wings' singer finished a concert series at the venue worth a reported $150 million in January but admits she was glad to play her last date because the global economic recession had a negative impact on the gambling haven.

She explained in an interview to the Daily Telegraph newspaper: “The first 18 months were fantastic. Then there was the economic catastrophe and the last six months were a struggle.

“There was so much foreclosure, people were really scared. We saw the infrastructure begin to wobble. Las Vegas was ground zero for the recession.”

When asked if it was like performing on ill fated liner the Titanic – which sank on 5 April 1912 after hitting an iceberg in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean - Bette agreed, saying: “Yes. It kind of was.”

The legendary star admits her excitement at performing her ‘The Showgirl Must Go On’ show at the famous Coliseum at Caesars Palace turned to disappointment in the last few months and she began to question if she was doing the right thing.

Bette explained: “I was living in the hotel and I remember one day I ordered room service, and the girl came and she looked so exhausted. I asked what was wrong and she said she was having to look after all the guests - they’d let everyone else go. And that’s when you start to question yourself - what am I doing here? Am I contributing to this?”