X Factor's Dannii defends Britney's performance

Dannii Minogue has defended Britney Spears' performance on The X Factor.

The troubled US pop star has been criticised for her poor performance on the ITV1 show on Saturday night during which she mimed her latest single Womanizer.

But at the Children's BAFTAs, Dannii said she enjoyed watching Britney on her first television appearance in the UK for four years.

She said: "There is a lot of hype around Britney all the time. How that girl has put up with it and managed her longevity... it was exciting for us and the contestants to be in her presence."

It had been rumoured that Britney refused contact with the judges and the contestants and did not mentor the hopefuls unlike previous guests including Take That, Mariah Carey and Girls Aloud.

But asked if Britney spoke to the panel, Dannii said: "She did speak to us. I don't think she spoke to the contestants but she did meet the judges."

Pressed further about what they talked about, Dannii said with a giggle that Britney only spoke to judge Simon Cowell.

Meanwhile, Britain's Got Talent's breakdancing sensation George Sampson slammed Britney's performance.

The 15-year-old said: "It was a bit disappointing, there's the whole debate about her miming and stuff. Her dancing, what was going on? I think she is not the dancer she used to be. She had a few moves but I think she's losing it."

He said boy band JLS were his favourites to go all the way.

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