Bloated Britney fizzles on stage

Oops, she shouldn't have done it.

Pop star Britney Spear's performance at Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards was a far cry from the star's previous eye popping appearances on the show.

Clad in a skimpy black bra and panty set, Britney looked a shadow of her former self -- remember her stripping down to a flesh-coloured body suit in 2000; dancing with a python in 2001; and locking lips with Madonna in 2003?

Flanked by writhing dancers, Spears did not look sexy, rather she looked bloated and bored. It looked liked she was going through the motions as she lip-synched to her new single, Gimme More.

And maybe her personal turmoil after her divorce, child custody battles, rehab and subsequent erratic behaviour is to blame for this anticlimactic return to the stage.

Photograph: Getty Images