Now we know that sometimes popstars and reality star bumpkins can be easy targets for mockery, scrutiny and cheap laughs.

That can be said for the first 15 episodes of X-Factor as we all wonder why a fat lass from Wigan who sounds like she’s singing through her nostril thinks she can win.

Some people, however, get past cocky comments from judges like Simon Cowell and go on to make a decent living, before descending in to the world of Big Issue selling – just give Leona Lewis another 18 months.

It was the great old days though, when manufactured singers were poached from the Mickey Mouse Club. Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera have both left the iron fist of Disney to lighten up our lives.

But no-one has done this more so than Britney Spears, whose early glittering career really has gone up shit creek without a paddle. Now, leaked video footage from a Las Vegas gig captures Britney’s “live vocal” not sounding too peachy.

Shock! Horror! Gasp! Panic! Noooooooooooo! Sometimes pop pickers, the people on stage don’t actually sing live. We know that may be a bitter pill to swallow, but we haven’t needed rehab treatment to console ourselves.

The usual excuse is that they have to mime due to performers not being able to dance and sing at the same time. We can usually cope fine with doing both – if dancing is classed as rolling around on the floor, that is. That would mean we were incredible – just check us out after a trip to the boozer.

Ebaumsworld.com claim to have the footage of Britney Spears performing in the days before she got all icky and pregnant, shaved off her hair, battered people with umbrellas and did the lesbian thing with Madonna.

Before the time that she turned out to be such a good influence on her sister Jamie-Lynn, who then decided to open up her legs and let underage loving commence. Aww, the beauty of child birth and magazine deals.

Recorded by a more than likely disgruntled soundman, this clip shows a shocking recording of Britney miming along to her songs. Because it was done in America, we assume that some moron will sue her now due to it not being live.

Listen/watch it here.