Affleck glad of Britney fuss

There was one person who thought Britney Spear’s 55-hour marriage in Las Vegas was a good idea, if only for selfish reasons, and that was Ben Affleck.

He was pleased because it took the media’s attention off him and ex-fiancee Jennifer Lopez when Britney shocked her fans by getting married after an alcohol-fuelled night with an old schoolyard boyfriend.

Since the annulment of the union last month Britney has become the target of much mockery and criticism but not from Ben.

He says, "Britney, yeah, I'm going to send her a cheque. I can't tell you how pleased I was - it was finally the big one that's pushed (me and J Lo) off (the headlines). Which is really nice - nice for me. Poor thing."