Britney's dad defends sacked manager

Britney Spears' father has criticised her decision to ditch manager Larry Rudolph.

Jamie Spears claimed that his daughter is wrong to blame Rudolph for her recent bad press and personal troubles, insisting that he helped the star to get her life back on track.

"When Larry Rudolph talked Britney into going into rehab, he was doing what her mother, father and team of professionals with over 100 years of experience knew needed to be done. She was out of control. Larry was the one chosen by the team to roll up his sleeves and deliver the message, to help save her life," Jamie explained.

"The Spears family would like to publicly apologise to Larry for our daughter's statements about him over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, she blames him and her family for where she is at today with her kids and career."

Responding to the comments, Britney said: "I am praying for my father. We have never had a good relationship."