Britney Spears' parents speak out over 'Dr Phil' drama

Britney Spears’ family have commented on Dr Phil McGraw’s decision to speak to the media after visiting the singer in hospital.

Lou Taylor, business manager for Lynne and Jamie Spears, said that McGraw’s media interviews this week were “just inappropriate”.

She explained that "the family basically extended an invitation of trust for him to come in as a resource to support them, not to go out and make public statements”.

Taylor also indicated that the family had requested that the psychologist, who became famous on the Oprah show, refrain from talking about the case to the media.

According to interviews earlier this week, McGraw says he was invited to speak to the star by her family, and showed up to Cedars-Sinai hospital as Spears was being discharged.

He defended his part in the case, saying: "Somebody needs to step up and get this young woman into some quality care - and I do not apologise one whit, not one second, for trying to make that happen," reports the Associated Press.

He told Entertainment Tonight that he was contacted through his wife, who is friends with Lynne Spears.

McGraw earlier this week shelved plans for a 'Britney' TV special, deeming the situation too intense.

As previously reported here on NME.COM, his TV show on October 4 focused on Britney's mental health, during which he suggested that the singer may need to be “involuntarily committed”.

Spears’ was taken to hospital just after midnight on January 3 after a custodial dispute involving her two sons Sean Preston and Jayden James.

--By our New York staff.
Find out more about NME.


The Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 are coming soon – and it’s time to have your say. Vote now by heading to NME.COM/awardsvote and you could win VIP tickets to the ceremony, which takes place in London on February 28.