Pop princess BRITNEY SPEARS has denied she's broken up with her 'N SYNC singer fiance Justin Timberlake. The star was asked about reports, which swept the globe yesterday (11th March 2002), that the pair had gone their separate ways due to work pressures, whilst promoting her new movie CROSSROADS (2002) in Italy - and Spears tersely dismissed the claims.

She said, "No, that's not true. Me and Justin did not split up. " The 20-year-old also added that the issue was "personal". Britney's American record label Jive Records had said they would release an official statement yesterday evening (11th March 2002), but have instead now issued "no comment".

However, British tabloid The Sun today (12th March 2002) quoted a source confirming the split - and claims Britney is being comforted by her hunky dance teacher and close friend Wade Robson. The source says of her interview with MTV Europe, "She doesn't want to talk about it on air while she is still coming to terms with it herself. "

Source: WENN