BILLY RAY CYRUS - CYRUS DENIES HE REMOVED LOHAN'S NUMBER FROM MILEY'S CELLPHONE

BILLY RAY CYRUS has denied reports he deleted LINDSAY LOHAN's number from his daughter MILEY's cellphone - insisting he "loves" the troubled star. The pair were alleged to have met at the Grammys last month (Feb08) and exchanged digits, which were later erased by protective father Billy Ray. However, speaking on KIIS-FM radio, he told host Ryan Seacrest, "We love Lindsay." And Cyrus senior added he's just one of the 15-year-old's pals, as well as her father: "I wanna be the person (Miley) wants to talk to. I just want to be one of those friends."