Kevin Federline has been named Dad of the Year. The ex-husband of Britney Spears - who has been granted full custody of sons Sean Preston, two, and 16-month-old Jayden James since the singer's meltdown - has been praised for stepping up his fathering skills by Details magazine, but his friends insist he always was a great father.

DJ Irie, a pal of Kevin's, said: "He is an all-round great dad."

The ex's ex has weighed in on the Britney issue. Shar Jackson, Kevin Federline's ex-girlfriend, says the pop star's children with him are safe, as well as Federline himself.

"He's good," the 31-year-old Jackson tells People magazine. "I talked to him the other night and he's fine. He's just happy that the boys are safe. That's his biggest thing, making sure that the boys are in a good place and that they're happy. And they're happy."

Paris Hilton has been spotted cosying up to Britney Spears' ex-husband Kevin Federline.

The hotel heiress, who has become good friends with Britney after partying with her several times this year, was seen laughing, joking and kissing with Kevin at Las Vegas' LAX nightclub on Saturday.