At the age of 24 Britney Spears has already enjoyed a hugely successful career and a colourful personal life.

In February 1999 Spears, 17, had her first UK hit single with Baby One More Time, dressing in school uniform for the video.

The teenage pop sensation swept the board at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1999, scooping four prizes.

Britney Spears and fellow pop star Christina Aguilera first met when they both featured as young entertainers on the television show The Mickey Mouse Club.

Spears dated fellow Mouseketeer Justin Timberlake for several years. They broke up in 2002, blaming their busy work schedules.

Spears hit the headlines again in January 2003 after getting married to her childhood friend in Las Vegas. The marriage, which lasted just 55 hours, was annulled.

The same year Spears caused a storm when she and Madonna kissed on stage during a performance together at the MTV Video Music Awards.

In 2004 Britney married backing dancer Kevin Federline during a private ceremony in Los Angeles. The couple announced their engagement two months after getting together.

The couple had two children but the marriage is now heading for the divorce courts, with "irreconcilable differences" cited.