Britney hires a ‘manny’

Easton, Md. – At the U.S. Naval Academy, Perry Taylor was addressed as “midshipman.” Now, though, he’s known as Perry Poppins.

The 28-year-old Easton native has popped up in supermarket tabloids as the male nanny – or “manny” – for Britney Spears, who has a 9-month-old son, Sean Preston, and is pregnant.

“Actually, he’s more of a bodyguard,” says Taylor’s mother, Caroline Moncure-Taylor, a Washington real estate agent. Moncure-Taylor told The (Baltimore) Sun that Taylor has worked for the 24-year-old pop singer for less than a month.

For Star magazine, which featured Spears and Taylor on the cover of its June 19 issue, he’s “Britney’s Sexy New Stand-In Husband!”

“He’s good with kids and he’s always there when he’s needed – unlike Kevin!” the tabloid continues, referring to Kevin Federline, Spears’ husband, who is an aspiring rapper.

Off to detox

London – Troubled British rocker Pete Doherty has checked himself into a detox clinic in Portugal, his attorney has told a judge.

The 27-year-old Babyshambles frontman was not present for a scheduled hearing Friday on the progress of a court-ordered rehabilitation program following his arrests for drug possession.

District Judge Jane McIvor excused Doherty’s absence, saying he was not on bail or charged with anything at the moment.

Doherty was arrested April 20 for suspected drug possession after being placed on probation over a Dec. 18 incident in which police found marijuana, heroin and crack cocaine in his car and clothing.

The former Libertines singer has reportedly been fitted with an opiate-suppressing implant at the Portugal clinic, where he had checked himself in Monday, Curran said.

Loretta Lynn on the mend

Nashville, Tenn. – Loretta Lynn has undergone shoulder joint-replacement surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, a spokesman said.

The 71-year-old country music queen injured her left shoulder Sunday in a fall at her home in Hurricane Mills, about 60 miles west of Nashville.

Spokesman William Smithson said the surgery Thursday went well and Lynn was resting in her room. She was expected to be hospitalized through the weekend.

The injury forced the cancellation of nine concerts scheduled in June and July.

Lynn is a three-time Grammy winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. She’s best known for her autobiographical hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and songs such as “Rated X,” “The Pill” and “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).”