Pop beauty Beyonce Knowles has leapt to the defence of her contract with fast food giants McDONALD'S - insisting she has always loved eating the chain's food.

Knowles' group Destiny's Child have signed a deal with the American restaurant company to sponsor their forthcoming 2005 tour.

And despite mixed reactions from fans and media critics, Knowles insists she's delighted with the business venture.

She enthuses, "The great thing about McDonald's is that they have a lot of different things on the menu. I love their salads.

"This was before we knew we were working with McDonald's."

Knowles is sure to horrify Super Size Me documentary director MORGAN SPURLOCK - who became ill after living on McDonald's food for 30 days - by admitting she feasts on McDonald's food on a daily basis.

She explains, "I ate McDonald's every day when we were recording.

"We get the chance to visit children at RONALD McDONALD houses, where some are sick and some have different things going on with them. So hopefully we get a chance to help put smiles on their faces. To be part of that is beautiful."

04/11/2004 02:39