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Britney seeking treatment for 'mental issues'

Britney Spears Rex Features

Britney Spears' longtime friend Sam Lufti, who now refers to himself as her manager, has confirmed that she is seeking treatment for mental health issues.

Lufti called one of the biggest newswomen in the US, Barbara Walters, over the weekend in a bid to clear up reports about Britney's health. Lufti agreed that she could talk about their conversation on her Monday show, The View.

Walters told the audience: 'He said that Britney is suffering from what he describes as mental issues which are treatable. He said that she has been to a psychiatrist... she has been having mood swings, she's been having trouble sleeping... Whatever has been happening, she's now sleeping.' Walters said she couldn't vouch for the information, but that Lufti seemed 'very knowledgable and certainly very nice'.

Lufti also said that Britney was now in contact with her mother, Lynne, after a period of estrangement. Walters confirmed: 'She is in touch with her mother... and her mother has been very supportive.'

Walters' co-host on The View, Whoopi Goldberg, admitted she wasn't surprised by Lufti's comments, saying: 'I said I thought there was something emotionally wrong. I think this girl has worked and worked... and she's burned out.'

Walters then revealed Spears had dumped her paparazzi boyfriend, Adnan Ghalib, who went public with romantic details and taped messages the singer had left him on US news shows last week. The TV host added: 'I'm not an authority... but I believe she has moved away from this boyfriend.'

Tuesday 29 January 2008


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Kate Bosworth, Marie Claire January issue