I suppose she should be lucky she's not doing Hit Me Baby One More Time

Ah, the joys of the over-literal minds of the X Factor team, as they prepare for Britney's arrival:

The X Factor's creative director, Brian Friedman, has worked on several of Spears' tours and music videos - and promised she would have a few surprises up her sleeve for her UK appearance.

"She is going to be doing a massive performance," he said,

"You know her album is called Circus, so we're going to be seeing a circus vibe coming in".

If the judges and contestants don't all arrive crammed into a single car, you've wasted your week, Friedman.