Brown 'saddened' by split from Houston

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- In his first public comment since being served with separation papers by his wife, U.S. singer and dancer Bobby Brown told People magazine he was "saddened."

Singer Whitney Houston filed for legal separation from her husband of 14 years on Sept. 8 and it has been widely reported she plans to begin divorce proceedings next month.

"I'm really saddened by the whole situation," Brown told People Tuesday.

The singer and star of Bravo TV's "Being Bobby Brown" was in Boston for his daughter Laprincia's 17th birthday, People said. Brown's eldest daughter was the result of his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Kim Ward.

Brown and Houston have one child together, 13-year-old Bobbi Kristina, and Houston is reportedly seeking full custody with visitation rights for Brown, People said.