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Jamie Spears has filed a legal petition to end a controversial conservatorship which has controlled the affairs of his daughter for the last 13 years.

Legal documents submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court by Spears on Tuesday state that his daughter Britney “is entitled” to have a judge “seriously consider” whether the arrangement is required.

The documents add that Britney Spears’ circumstances have changed “to such an extent that grounds for establishment of a conservatorship may no longer exist”.

“She wants to be able to make decisions regarding her own medical care, deciding when, where and how often to get therapy. She wants to control the money she has made from her career and spend it without supervision or oversight,” the legal documents state.

FILE PHOTO: Britney Spears poses at the premiere of "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 22, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo
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In July the singer told a court she wanted her father charged with ‘conservatorship abuse’. File pic

“She wants to be able to get married and have a baby, if she so chooses. In short, she wants to live her life as she chooses without the constraints of a conservator or court proceeding.”

And Jodi Montgomery, the care-giver who oversees the star’s personal affairs, should also be discharged from her role, Mr Spears said.

Britney Spears, 39, has attempted to remove her father as the overseer of her $60 million estate twice in the last two years, even refusing to perform while he retains control.

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In July, the singer told Judge Brenda Penny that it was her top priority that Mr Spears, 69, be removed and charged with “conservatorship abuse”.

She also accused her father, who is a recovering alcoholic, of ruining her life and alleged that he “loved” to hear her in pain while he exerted his power over her.

At the height of her fame, Spears was one of the world’s biggest pop star. She is famous for hits including Baby One More Time, Oops!… I Did It Again, I’m A Slave 4 U, Toxic and Womanizer, although she has not performed since 2018.

She has been under the control of the conservatorship – usually reserved for the old and infirm – since 2008, when it was put in place as a temporary measure following her high-profile reported breakdown.

She told a court in June the “abusive” legal arrangement was stopping her from getting married and having a baby and that it was her “wish and dream” for it to end.

She alleged that she was being compelled to take certain medications and to use an intrauterine device for birth control against her will.

Support for the singer's case has been crowing Pic: AP
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The #FreeBritney movement has brought worldwide attention to the star’s case. Pic: AP

In a court filing in August, Mr Spears said he was willing to step back as the conservator of her finances, but offered no timetable.

Spears’ attorney Mathew Rosengart, a high-powered Hollywood lawyer, then accused Jamie of attempting to “extort” his daughter, alleging he asked for about $2 million (£1.45 million) in payments to his legal team and former business manager Tri Star.

A petition to remove Mr Spears from his role was to be heard at the next hearing in the case on 29 September. Ms Penny will now need to approve the move to terminate the arrangement for good.

Mr Spears’ filing represents a significant win for the #FreeBritney movement which has gathered momentum in recent months.

His lawyers have sought to defend him from claims he wanted to keep the arrangement in place for his benefit.

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The filing adds: “As Mr Spears has said again and again, all he wants is what is best for his daughter.

“If Ms Spears wants to terminate the conservatorship and believes that she can handle her own life, Mr Spears believes that she should get that chance.”

Mr Spears gave up his control over his daughter’s life decisions in 2019, handing the role to court-appointed Ms Montgomery, but he kept control of her finances.

In July, Spears was allowed to hire Mr Rosengart as her lawyer, replacing Samuel Ingham, the man appointed by the court in 2008. He has promised to help her end the conservatorship for good.

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Neil Young confirmed as Glastonbury headliner – days after saying he was pulling out

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Neil Young confirmed as Glastonbury headliner - days after saying he was pulling out

Neil Young has been confirmed as a headliner at this year’s Glastonbury – despite saying he was dropping out due to the BBC’s involvement in the festival.

The 79-year-old Canadian musician wrote on his website earlier this week that both he and his band, The Chrome Hearts, were pulling out because the BBC’s involvement was a “corporate turn-off”.

He has now said in a statement that this decision was down to “an error in the information I received”.

Emily Eavis, the organiser of the Glastonbury Festival, posted on Instagram on Friday: “Neil Young is an artist who’s very close to our hearts at Glastonbury.

“He does things his own way and that’s why we love him.

“We can’t wait to welcome him back here to headline the Pyramid in June.”

Glastonbury, which takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset in the summer, has worked closely with the BBC – its exclusive broadcast partner – since 1997.

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Posting on Neil Young Archives, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer wrote in his initial statement: “The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all-time favourite outdoor gigs.

“We were told that BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in.

“It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being.”

Young performing at Glastonbury in 2009. Pic: AP
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Young performing at Glastonbury in 2009. Pic: AP

Young, who headlined the festival’s Pyramid stage in 2009, added: “We will not be playing Glastonbury on this tour because it is a corporate turn-off, and not for me like it used to be.

“Hope to see you at one of the other venues on the tour.”

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In an updated statement, he wrote: “Due to an error in the information received, I had decided to not play the Glastonbury festival, which I always have loved.

“Happily, the festival is now back on our itinerary and we look forward to playing! Hope to see you there!”

Young, who is married to US actress Daryl Hannah, was booked to play Glastonbury in 1997 but pulled out after cutting his left index finger while making a ham sandwich.

Glastonbury, one of the UK’s largest music festivals, is set to take place between 25 and 29 June, with Sir Rod Stewart booked for the Sunday teatime legend slot.

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Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, dies at 73

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Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, dies at 73

Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, has died aged 73.

The singer, who rose to fame alongside his siblings including Donny, Jimmy and Marie Osmond, died on New Year’s Day with his wife and five children by his side after suffering a stroke, family members said in posts on social media.

“His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world,” a family statement said.

“He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”

Donny Osmond, 67, paid tribute to his “dear brother” and said he was grateful to have seen him in hospital before his death.

“Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me,” he said. “He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”

American band 'The Osmonds' from left Merrill, Jimmy, Donny, Alan, Marie, Jay and Wayne pose for photographers at a media event in London, Thursday, May 29, 2008. The Osmonds are currently on a tour of the UK. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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The Osmonds in 2008 (L-R): Merrill, Jimmy, Donny, Alan, Marie, Jay and Wayne. Pic: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth


Born in Ogden, Utah, Wayne Osmond was the fourth of nine siblings. The two oldest Osmond brothers, Virl and Tom, were both born with hearing problems.

The family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Wayne’s musical career started when he was just a boy, when he formed a barbershop quartet with three of his brothers, Alan, Merrill and Jay. They were later joined by younger siblings Donny and Jimmy and became household names in the 1970s, with hits including One Bad Apple, Crazy Horses, and Love Me For A Reason.

Sister Marie also rose to fame as a singer.

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Merrill and Jay Osmond were among the family members sharing tributes, with Merrill, 71, also saying he visited Wayne before his death.

“I’ve never known a man that had more humility,” Merrill said. “A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met…

“My brother Wayne endured much. He gave it his all. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God.”

Jay, 69, said he had always “felt most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings” and that a “true legend” had left the world.

Wayne Osmond is survived by all of his siblings, as well as his wife Kathlyn and their children.

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It Ends With Us star Justin Baldoni sues New York Times for libel over Blake Lively harassment allegations

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It Ends With Us star Justin Baldoni sues New York Times for libel over Blake Lively harassment allegations

Actor and director Justin Baldoni has sued The New York Times newspaper for libel after it published allegations that he had sexually harassed and tried to smear the reputation of his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively.

The lawsuit, which seeks at least $250m (£199m) in damages, was the latest in a legal battle that has engulfed the two stars. Lively has filed a separate federal lawsuit against Baldoni and others alleging harassment.

The Baldoni lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday by the director, 40, and by other defendants named in the Lively lawsuit.

It accuses The New York Times of accepting a “self-serving narrative” by the actress, 37, who claimed Baldoni, production company Wayfarer Studios and others attempted to damage her reputation after she and her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, addressed “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behaviour” by the actor and a producer on the set of the film.

According to Lively’s complaint, the plan included a proposal to plant theories on online message boards, engineer a social media campaign and place news stories that are critical of her.

But Baldoni’s libel lawsuit claims The Times article, which was called ‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine, “disregard[s] an abundance of evidence” that contradicts Lively’s accusations.

Photo by: NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx 2024 8/6/24 Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the premiere of "It Ends With Us" on August 6, 2024 in New York City.
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Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds at the premiere of It Ends With Us. Pic: AP

The Times has defended its reporting and said it plans to “vigorously defend” against the lawsuit.

In a statement, it said: “The role of an independent news organisation is to follow the facts where they lead.

“Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article.”

Baldoni was dropped by his agency, WME, immediately after Lively filed her complaint and The Times published its story. The agency represents both Lively and Reynolds.

Bryan Freedman, a lawyer who represents Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives, previously called the accusations “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media”.

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Why is Blake Lively suing Justin Baldoni?

He said on Wednesday that The Times had “aided and abetted their own devastating PR smear campaign designed to revitalise Lively’s self-induced floundering public image and counter the organic groundswell of criticism amongst the online public”.

Lively is not a defendant in the libel lawsuit against the paper.

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In a statement, lawyers representing the actress said: “Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims advanced in Ms Lively’s California Civil Rights Department Complaint, nor her federal complaint, filed earlier today.”

It Ends With Us, which is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel, was shrouded by speculation over discord between the lead pair at the time of its release in August.

Baldoni took a backseat in promoting the film while Lively took centre stage along with Reynolds, who was on the press circuit for Deadpool & Wolverine at the same time.

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