Spears to regain independence next year

Britney Spears's father has confirmed that he expects to give up his control over the singer's affairs next year.

Jamie Spears was named as Britney's temporary conservator in February after she was hospitalised over mental health issues. Earlier this month, the arrangement was extended until the end of 2008.

"I would hope that stands until the end of the year, and then we'll sit back and evaluate where we are at the time, where Britney is at that time," Jamie told the US version of OK! magazine.

"It's new for both of us. She sometimes calls me 50 times a day and asks me things that light my life up. But, like all daughters, she is very manipulative and cunning. So she gets what she wants a lot."

Spears added that he is enjoying being close to his daughter again following troubled times in the past.

"We've grown a lot," he confirmed. "I've been able to come back into my daughter's life, and that was an adjustment anyway, because I'm an alcoholic and it's the first time we've really been able to share."