Chris Brown can wave goodbye to his music career if allegations that he assaulted girlfriend Rihanna prove to be true, it's claimed.

The R&B singer handed himself into police on Sunday after an unnamed woman - believed to be Rihanna - accused him of attacking her, causing "horrific" injuries.

And industry insiders say that the public are likely to turn their back on Chris following the alleged violent episode.

"If it's true, his career is probably over," Billboard magazine's editorial director Bill Werde says.

Editor of R&B website TheBoombox, Tracey Ford, agrees that Chris' reputation has been damaged.

She tells the AP, "I don't think anyone saw this coming.

"It's really too early to tell at this point what will happen with his career.

"He certainly missed an opportunity last night at the Grammys to take his career to the next level.

"It might actually help Rihanna, to a certain extent. She's definitely being viewed as the victim at this point."

Meanwhile, big wigs at Wrigley gum have suspended ads featuring the singer until the matter is resolved.