Avril Lavigne happy to work with ex-husband

Avril Lavigne had no problem working with her rocker ex Deryk Whibley on her new album, insisting she still "respects him as an artist", two years after they split.

The Sk8ter Boi hitmaker finalised her divorce from Derek Whibley last year (10), but the former couple reunited in the studio to produce tracks for her latest release, Goodbye Lullyaby.

And Avril Lavigne has nothing but praise for the Sum 41 singer's talents.

She tells MTV News, "He's a musician. He does it all, and to have him come on this album and produce and mix, it's like he's so talented, I was really happy to have him produce on this record. He did a really amazing job. We're great friends and I'm grateful for the relationship."

Avril Lavigne, who released her last album, Best Damn Thing, in 2007, admits she's adopted a new outlook on life after spending some time away from the spotlight.

She says, "At this point, because I've been doing this for 10 years, I've kind of learned... my life lesson has been about not worrying about people and what they think.

"Obviously I care. I want people to like my music and stuff. I've had to learn to really focus on myself: who I am, what I want... You don't want to have distractions, especially when you're being creative."

Avril Lavigne has been dating reality TV star Brody Jenner since ending her marriage to Derek Whibley.