Simon Cowell has blamed troubled pop star Britney Spears for “manipulating” the current media furore surrounding her.

The acid-tongued X Factor judge has little time for Britney’s well publicised psychological problems, insisting she only has herself to blame for her life spiralling out of control.

He tells The Mirror, “Britney has brought this on herself. I think she's manipulated the whole thing, like waving a pregnancy test at the cameras.

"I've heard she won't leave the house until there are enough photographers there.

"Even some of the biggest celebrities in the world manage to have a quiet life. Look at Tom Hanks, no one bothers him. So it is possible."

Cowell also believes the former child star is finished as an artist, as well as a human being.

"I hated Britney's last album,” he explains. “That song 'Gimme More' sounded like a ringtone - it reminded me of that awful Crazy Frog song. Utter rubbish. She could well have had her last No.1. And certainly her last meaningful one."