Dr Phil: He's all heart

Doctor Phil has axed plans to do a programme on Britney Spears, because he thinks he can get more attention for less work by not doing a show ("because it's too intense"). He's issued a statement:

"We had planned to tape a Dr. Phil Now show tomorrow, focusing not on the tabloid side of Britney's latest problems, but instead on the very serious issues surrounding this case. Clearly, it is not just Britney's family struggling to find a way to protect adult children who cannot be ordered or compelled to seek help.

"Because the Spears situation is too intense at this time, and out of consideration to the family, I have made the decision not to move forward with the taping at this particular time. Britney and her family are in our prayers and we ask that they be in yours."

Phil has indicated that the time he spent with Britney in hospital will "of course, remain private", except for the details he's already shared with the press, of course.

Britney Spears: ?

Oh, God alone knows what's going on with her - The Sun is reporting that she's holed up with a Brummie photographer Adnan Ghalib, and

bizarrely told loved ones the paparazzi are now the only people she trusts.

But, frankly, who knows?

As if the story wasn't already a depressing mental health story recast as pantomime, Spears' parents have sucked Doctor Phil into matters. The comedy witch doctor is apparently viewed with respect despite making Raj Persaud look like Sigmund Freud. Phil has been padding his part in Britney's escape from hospital, although hospital "sources" have denied that he even spoke to her. Let's hope so; the last thing Spears needs right now is to get 'treatment' from a starstruck gossip.