12:13pm UK, Tuesday November 12, 2002

Teenage singer Charlotte Church said her mother still remains "very involved" in her career despite reports she has been sacked as her manager.

180 Singer Charlotte Church

The 16-year-old said that her mother and stepfather had never been her official managers but acted as her "most trusted advisers" in her career.

Reports have claimed the soprano had ditched her mum because of rumoured arguments over the boyfriend she disapproves of.

But Charlotte admits that her parents' involvement in her career has reached a different level because of her growing independence.

Bond

She issued a statement saying: "My mother did an amazing job in matters of my career and, of course, has always been a terrific mother.

"She still remains very involved in my career but obviously on a different level due to my growing independence and own experience.

"Now that I have completed my studies, everyone is in agreement that it is the appropriate time for me to embark on my US tour with my management and tour staff.

"I continue to seek the advice of my parents as I always have. As mother and daughter, our bond is stronger than ever."

Degrade

Charlotte also hit out at her former manager, Jonathan Shalit. He was sacked three years ago as her manager after a series of disagreements and later won a £2m out-of-court settlement from the singer.

"It was my decision to terminate my business relationship with my ex-manager, Jonathan Shalit, not my mother's and it's sad how Mr Shalit attacks my mother at every opportunity and comments on my growing up as a teenager whilst knowing nothing about my situation and having no children of his own.

"It hurts me every time Mr Shalit, after three years, still persists to publicly degrade my mother when she is worth a million of him."