Sunday People

TOXIC BRITNEY SAVED BY DAD

- By Kelly Jenkin Jenkins Br tonig

BRITNEY Spea Spears could be dead if it wasn’t for her father Jam Jamie, according to an old friend.

Dance studio bo boss Robert Baker thinks she would have ended up like Amy Winehouse or Michael Jackson if her dad hadn’t steppe stepped in after her breakdown in 2007.

He said: “I’ve k known Britney since 1998. I saw her at the height of her fa fame and saw her struggling when things got tough. She was spiralling out of control. She was going through the wo worst time of her life and needed help.

“Her dad steppe stepped in and gave her the help she needed. If he hadn’t, things could have been very different. I don’t think she would st still be with us today.”

Robert spoke ou out amid criticism Jamie, 66, had exerted too much influenc influence over Britney, 37, and her affairs. She was placed under h his guardiansh­ip after her breakdown, but that order end ended two months ago.

Now Robert, 56 56, defends Jamie, saying: “All I saw was a loving, protectiv protective father who wanted to make sure she was safe. He’s don done an amazing job. Their relationsh­ip hasn’t been the greatest, gre but he just wants what’s b best for her. I don’t think he had any motives outside of taking c care of her.”

Umbrella Umbre

Britney – whose wh UK No1s include Toxi Toxic and Baby

One More Time T – shaved her head and an attacked a photograph­er’s photograph car with an umbrella umbrell as her woes piled up 1 12 years ago.

She later lost custody of her so sons Sean, 13, and Jade Jaden, 12, to former hus husband Kevin Federline.

Robert Robe runs the Millennium Dance Studios in Los Angeles, where Britney rehearsed in her po pop heyday. He added: “No one could really prepare p her for the fame machine. She once came c into the studio and told me, ‘I’m the loneliest lo person in the world’.

“She “Sh said when she stepped outside, she didn’t didn know if it was going to be a gun pointed poin in her face or a camera.”

Robert R says Britney was happiest when dating dati fellow star Justin Timberlake – and, later, when she was with her children. lateh

He said: “Her and Justin had a great relationsh­ip. rela She was upbeat and happy. When Wh that broke up, I think she had no one to t relate to. I think her life could have been different if they stayed together.”

 ?? Picture: BACKGRID ?? SPEARS AND SHEARS: Shaven star in brolly rant and, inset, back on form
FRIEND: Robert backs dad Jamie
GUARDIAN: Dad Jamie on night out with Britney
Picture: BACKGRID SPEARS AND SHEARS: Shaven star in brolly rant and, inset, back on form FRIEND: Robert backs dad Jamie GUARDIAN: Dad Jamie on night out with Britney

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom