Bobby Brown vows to attend Whitney's funeral despite her family's 'ban'

London, Feb 16 (ANI)): Whitney Houston's ex husband Bobby Brown is reportedly determined to attend the singer's funeral despite her furious family warning him to keep away.

The 'Bodyguard' star will be laid to rest at an invitation-only ceremony at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey - where she was first discovered as a young gospel singer - on Saturday at noon.

Houston's family have warned Brown from attending her funeral telling him: "Keep away - you're not welcome."

However, the 43-year-old R 'n' B star has told pals he is desperate to be at the emotion-charged ceremony to support the couple's fragile daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18.

He flew to LA hours after Houston's death, but so far the star's friends and family have blocked contact.

Bobbi has been rushed to hospital twice suffering from "severe emotional trauma and stress" since the tragic death, but sources say the singer's mum Cissy is determined to keep Brown away.

Houston's family blame him for the superstar's spiral into drug addiction.

"Whitney's relatives think that Bobby has already done enough damage. Everyone wants him out of their lives for good, and as distanced from Bobbi Kristina as possible," the Mirror quoted a source as saying.

"Whitney's mum and other close family and friends always blamed Bobby for many of the problems she suffered.

"Marrying him was the start of her issues - and he has always been seen as a thorn in the family's side.

"A number of family members have been determined to keep him out of the funeral and well away from Whitney's daughter, but he's insisting he has a right to go and pay his respects, as well as support Bobbi Kristina.

"It's all very bitter and the family see Bobby as an annoying distraction while they are trying to grieve," the source added.

Whitney's 15-year marriage to Brown, from 1992 to 2007, saw her career and health plummet as she became savaged by drug abuse.

Meanwhile sources close to Brown say he is "extremely disappointed" after discovering the family do not want him at the funeral but is hopeful they can set aside their differences for the sake of Bobbi. (ANI)