Abdul has sympathy for Britney

American Idol judge Paula Abdul has leaped to the defence of Britney Spears, after the pregnant pop star received a barrage of criticism for her parenting skills and choice of husband.

The media and public have frequently berated the Toxic singer since she started dating now-husband Kevin Federline in 2004, because his girlfriend Shar Jackson was pregnant with his child when he started romancing Spears.