Rihanna is “freaking out” after a series of private photographs, some of which purportedly show the singer naked, emerged on the internet.

The set includes one photograph of a woman who resembles Rihanna standing partially clothed in front of a bathroom mirror.

Another picture appears to show the singer's boyfriend Chris Brown with a pair of knickers on his head.

"She is freaking out. She was on the road to recovery after a terrible few months,” a source told the New of the World.

"She has no idea how these pictures have been leaked but she's determined to find out."

Fans have begun speculating whether photographs were leaked by Chris, who is facing assault charges for allegedly hitting the singer during a row in February.

But in a statement to Essence, a spokesperson for Chris said: "This is both a false and defamatory statement.

“Chris has not released or 'leaked' any photos of Rihanna (or anyone else for that matter)."

Rihanna has yet to comment on the the authenticity of the pictures.

Rihanna and Chris Brown