Jamie Lynn Spears father mystery

Casey Aldridge is reportedly not the father of Jamie Lynn Spears' baby.

It has been alleged the 16-year-old actress - who announced she is expecting her first child with long-term boyfriend Casey earlier this month - was having an affair with an older man on the set of her Nickelodeon TV show 'Zoey 101'.

The Spears family are allegedly desperate to keep the man's identity a secret, and have paid Casey to pretend to be the father instead.

A source told America's Star magazine: "Casey is being paid off to be the family's fall guy while the real father remains unidentified.

"The man many suspect is the father, however, would face rape charges and probably prison time if he were to come forward and admit he had sex with Jamie Lynn."

A family insider added: "Some of us have doubts as to the legitimacy of the claim that Casey is the father. Before the news of the pregnancy, how often did you see them together?

"Jamie Lynn has dated Casey on-and-off over the past two years. But it was not steady. Jamie Lynn went through a time of partying, and Casey was just a part of that."

While Jamie Lynn - the sister of troubled pop star Britney Spears - has admitted being "shocked and scared" about becoming a mother at such a young age, she hasn't commented on rumours Nickelodeon will be dropping her from 'Zoey 101.'

PR expert Michael Levine said: "I cant think of any way that Nickelodeon could keep Jamie Lynn's show on the air.

"If they do, advertisers will drop it like crazy. No advertiser wants to be associated with a minor getting pregnant."

At the time of the pregnancy announcement, Nickelodeon released a statement saying: "We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation.

"We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being."