Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's marriage is doomed to fail, a close relative has claimed.

Art Spears, one of Britney's cousins, believes that the star will ditch Kevin for the sake of her child.

"I don't think Britney and Kevin are going to stay together," Art told The Mirror. "Her son is her life and she will obviously do whatever is best for him - but does that involve Kevin? I don't think so.

"Britney is very much her own boss and she does not need anybody to tell her what to do like Kevin has been doing. She is definitely a Spears - that's her way. She's been with some guys with big money, but she didn't stay with them. She's got her own money, she's very independent.

"Britney comes from an average family but she's the biggest success story out of all of us. She doesn't want a guy who is there to look after her every need - but she doesn't want a guy who sponges off her either."