“I left of my own accord. This has been in the works for several months,�? she was quoted by Contactmusic, as saying.

Spears is heading back into the studio to record her new album in January (07) and Jive will continue to handle her publicity for the time being.

Meanwhile, Britney Spears's chronic boozing and hard partying have taken a sudden and harsh toll on her looks, with the star appearing to have gain massive amounts of weight..

Arriving at a basketball game in Los Angeles with her sister Jamie Lynn last week, onlookers were shocked at how puffy and bloated the star looked. In stark contrast to the slim post-baby figure she unveiled in November reports NW magazine.