Lionel Richie has spoken for the first time about his daughter's weight loss.

The soul singer believes that his divorce from second wife Diane Alexander was partly responsible for Nicole's shrinking size.

"When I saw how thin she was, I was concerned and worried," Lionel told the Sunday Mirror. "I would love to see her with more meat on her. When Nicole worries, she doesn't eat - that's just the way she is. She is very sensitive and has been through a very tough time. Our divorce was difficult for her."

Nicole recently admitted that she has an eating problem in an interview with Vanity Fair.

"I am glad Nicole has decided she needs to do something about it," Lionel added. "She is daddy's little girl - she always will be. And, of course, I worry. She is doing as much as she can to sort it out. But I said to her, 'Are you OK?' She assured me she was - and her answer satisfied me."