Britney Spears 'blindsided'

Kevin Federline was "blindsided" when ex-wife Britney Spears filed for divorce.

The 30-year-old dancer claims Britney secretly contacted a lawyer, leaving him unprepared when she asked for a permanent separation in 2006.

He said: "We were having complications. I didn't give her an ultimatum, but I was trying to work stuff out with her, and she didn't even talk to me or anything and went behind my back and filed for divorce. I was completely blindsided."

Kevin denies his decision to fight for custody of the pair's two children - Sean Preston, three, and two-year-old Jayden James - was motivated by money, insisting his children's welfare is his priority.

He told People magazine: "My kids are always most important. After Britney filed for divorce, my first question to my lawyer was, 'Am I ever going to be able to see my children?' I told him that I would spend every last dime that I had to make sure that my children are OK. That's all that mattered."

Kevin says he is "rooting" for Britney, and is delighted with the way she has managed to turn her life around since her public breakdown in January.

Meanwhile, Britney's cousin Alli Sims claims the star is being pushed too hard by her father, Jamie.

Jamie was made co-conservator of Britney's estate after she suffered her breakdown, and promptly banned Alli - who had been working for Britney - from having any contact with her cousin.

Alli said: "How can they say Britney is sick and then shove her out on the road, with all that pressure?"

Britney celebrated her 27th birthday at New York nightclub Tenjune on Tuesday (02.12.08).

Her latest album 'Circus' was released on her big day and to celebrate the venue was transformed into a huge circus tent, with a hot dog stand, popcorn and cotton candy machines - which boasted the pop star's name on their sides - a man on stilts and jugglers.

Britney arrived in a low-cut grey dress, and was presented with a cake complete with sparklers.