Britney Spears has escaped being questioned about her alleged drug abuse after “extreme anxiety” prevented her from leaving her L.A. home.

The pop mess had been due to face ex-husband Kevin Federline’s legal team as part of her bitter custody battle over sons Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one - but pleaded ill health.

A source close to the star said: "There's a million people outside of her house. She can see all the other madness.

"The anxiety is making her sick. It's just too crazy."

In September an L.A. judge branded the singer a “habitual, frequent and continuous" user of alcohol and controlled substances and ordered her to undergo twice-weekly drug testing.

Her deposition is expected to be re-scheduled for sometime in the new year.