Charlotte Church has spoken out in the latest row over the direction the teenage singing star wants to take her career in.

The 16-year-old multi-millionaire was reported to have decided to move on from having her mother Maria, 37, as her personal manager.

But in a statement to BBC News Online, the singer sought to clarify the position - and defend her mother against renewed media speculation.

Charlotte Church is worth an estimated �15m

And the singer also revealed it was her own decision to terminate her business relationship with ex-manager Jonathan Shalit.

The Church family has been in the British tabloid newspaper spotlight for all the wrong reasons of late, with stories of rows over Ms Church's boyfriend student and part-time DJ Steven Johnson, 18.

There were also stories about her decision to leave the family home and move into Mr Johnson's Cardiff Bay flat.

And the singer is travelling without her family when she begins a tour of the US and Canada next month.

But in an attempt to defend her mother against the latest media interest, the singer said she remained "very involved" in her career.

The statement, sent from the United States, read: "In response to the recent news stories, I find it necessary to clarify that although my parents have always been my most trusted advisors they have never acted as my official managers.

Jonathan Shalit: 'Teen troubles'

"I have, throughout my professional career, retained professional management, currently by Irving Azoff and his management team.

"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.

The statement added: "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.

"My parents have always protected me throughout the ups and downs of the media and my career and I thank them for it.

A mother should always be the most important person in a child's life.

Jonathan Shalit, former manager

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

Ms Church also said she felt "hurt every time" her former manager Jonathan Shalit "publicly degraded" her mother.

Previously, the young singer has been accompanied by her mother and other family members when she has undertaken engagements including singing for the Pope and President Clinton.

The star's mother and stepfather James, 38, will be left at the family's �500,000 Cardiff home when Church begins a solo tour of America next month.

The soprano is to mount a 15-date tour of North America and Canada, supported by 'Sound of Music' stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

'Forceful character'

Mrs Church gave up her job as a housing officer to take over the management of Church's career after Mr Shalit was sacked two years ago.

Having steered Church's early career after she was ' discovered' on a TV talent programme, he was given a �2m out-of-court settlement after he threatened legal action

"Because Maria is a forceful character and makes her presence known, it was assumed she was her manager," said Mr Shalit.

"A mother should always be the most important person in a child's life.

"This is a family drama repeated throughout the world, teenagers rebelling against their parents. Charlotte's spat with her parents is nothing more than that.

"The upside of Charlotte's life is so fantastic.

Voice of an Angel

"The family have openly admitted that they row a lot, but a rowing family can still be a loving family."

The singer's fortune is now managed by her company Charlotte Church Ltd with her mother and stepfather both listed as directors.

Church became the youngest-ever artist to top the classical music chart when her debut album, Voice of an Angel was released in November 1998.

It went on to sell 600,000 copies in the UK.

Church decided to concentrate solely on her singing career after leaving the independent Howells School in Llandaff in August where she gained seven A grades at GCSE, including in music.