Manager: 'Britney is like a daughter'

Britney Spears's manager has revealed that he has a very close bond with her.

Larry Rudolph, who began managing the singer in 1999, described his relationship with her as "paternal".

"I've known this girl for over half her life, since she was 13. We have a very close friendship, but it's sort of hard for me to explain my relationship with her. It's a friendship, it's a business relationship, there are some paternal aspects to it," he told the Los Angeles Times.

"I understand her better than everyone other than her immediate family. The bottom line is I think she's amazing. I love her.

"She's been a big part of my life, and I've been a big part of her life. Being a part of this new phase in her career is something I was very open to."

Rudolph was fired last year after Spears blamed him for her bad publicity. However, he was later re-hired and has been a part of masterminding her comeback.

Spears will perform on The X Factor this Saturday. Her new album Circus is out on December 1.