Teenage soprano Charlotte Church has admitted that her family does not approve of her relationship with a Cardiff DJ.

The 16-year-old has been dating Steven Johnson, 18, for nine months despite a series of rows with her parents about the romance.

I don't know if I am in love with him but I think so

Charlotte Church, singer

The singer spoke about her feelings for Mr Johnson on the BBC's Parkinson show broadcast on Saturday night.

She told veteran presenter, Michael Parkinson: "He (Johnson) is no bad boy.

"He's really, really lovely and we get on really well.

"The stories that he is a bad boy and he does this and does that are just not true.

"I don't know if I am in love with him - I'm only little, but I think so.

"It is the strongest I've ever felt, but then I've only had 16 years of experience," said Miss Church.

The singer says her mother is protective

She told how her mother, Maria did not approve of the relationship.

"There are so many parents who don't agree with their daughter's boyfriend, and I accept it because there are fantastic sides to fame and some downsides.

"The pressures sort of blow up my situation - it's not anything bad - I've got a boyfriend.

"My mum's worried for me - she's really protective, but I always said I would not let the press dictate how I live my life," she said.

The millionairess defended Johnson against claims that he had tried to sell stories about his relationship with her for �100,000.

"I don't believe he did that," said Miss Church.

Maybe I'm just young and being naive, being in love and all that good stuff

Charlotte Church, singer

"I was in LA and it was really distressful for me at the time - I was freaking out.

"I've asked him and he said, 'I wouldn't do that to you'.

"Maybe I'm just young and being naive, being in love and all that good stuff, but I just don't believe it.

"But, maybe one day it will come back and bite me on my bum," she said.

During the interview, Miss Church said that she is not able to spend any of her �15m fortune, which is kept in a trust fund.

"Even when I reach 21, I want to keep it in a trust so if I had a boyfriend and I wanted to give my boyfriend a million quid, the trust wouldn't let me.

"I would have to justify why I want to do that and how it would be beneficial for me, so there is always someone looking after it so I don't screw it up," she added.