David Blaine has broken the world record for holding one's breath on a live US TV chat show.

The magician submerged himself in a water-filled sphere on the stage of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Winfrey told the audience during a commercial break: "I'll be glad when it's over. I don't like suspense."

Blaine managed to hold his breath for 17 minutes and 4 seconds. The previous record was16 minutes and 32 seconds set on February 10 by Switzerland's Peter Colat.

Blaine had a smile on his face soon after his head rose above the water and he took several deep gulps of air.

Within about a minute, he was able to hold a microphone and he told Winfrey: "I feel great," later adding that breaking the record was a fulfillment of "a lifelong dream."

Before his attempt, Blaine was allowed to inhale pure oxygen for up to 30 minutes, although he inhaled for only 23 minutes.

A Guinness World Records judge was on hand to certify the feat.

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