Fears for Britney

Star facing costly divorce after split from 'rock' who aided mental health fight

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

BRITNEY Spears' family fear for how she will cope with the loss of her emotional "rock" as she faces a costly court battle following the collapse of her third marriage.

The singer and Sam Asghari have split just 14 months after they tied the knot, with Iranian-American model and actor Sam filing for divorce.

And sources close to Britney, 41, worry that the absence of his stabilising influence could hit her hard.

Sam, 29, supported the star through mental health treatment and a court battle to end the conservatorship agreement under which her father Jamie, 71, controlled her life.