Alfonso Ribeiro has come to the defence of fellow former child star Amanda Bynes, insisting the embattled actress needs privacy in light of her apparent personal issues.

The 27-year-old Hairspray star has sparked concerns for her mental health in recent weeks following a series of bizarre Twitter.com rants and her arrest in New York last month (May13).

However, Ribeiro, who shot to fame as a youngster on Tv sitcoms Silver Spoons and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has now spoken out in Bynes' defence.

He tells The Grio, "I think the world has changed and I think that the reality shows believe that the world has a right to your personal life. I think that if we can lose the personal side of celebrities' lives being so out there in the public, she could actually probably rehabilitate herself with whatever's going on, if anything. How much of it is true? How much of it is sensationalised? We don't know and the truth lies somewhere probably in between. I think that people need to have the ability to have a private life."

Ribeiro, 41, admits he was disgusted after watching recent footage of a photographer approaching Bynes as she attempted to make her way into her New York City apartment building.

He adds, "I watched something the other day and a photographer's sitting there, actually assaulting her. I think that's the side that actually has to change. Regardless of what she's going through, regardless of what has happened to her in her life, it's never Ok to put your hands on a woman. The guy who did that should actually be prosecuted for putting his hands on her when she's hiding herself trying to get in her building after going to jail. People need to have their private lives back."