Dr. Phil regrets making Spears statement

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. television personality Dr. Phil McGraw said, if he had to do it all over again, he wouldn't have spoken publicly about Britney Spears' mental state.

McGraw came under fire after he visited Spears at the request of her family, while she was hospitalized for a psychological evaluation earlier this month, then issued a statement about her condition and announced plans to do a Spears-themed episode of his "Dr. Phil" show.

"Was it helpful to the situation? Regrettably, no. It was not, and I have to acknowledge that and I do," USA Today said McGraw told the audience at a taping of an episode set to air Monday. "I definitely think if I had it to do over again, I probably wouldn't make any statement at all. Period."