UPDATE: Interview with 72-hour hubby. He’s freaked.

Apparently fed up!

Britney goes off her brolly | Sunday Herald Sun — I now blame this woman’s handlers for letting her get like this in the first place. It seems to be getting worse by the day. And it seems she’s gained 60 pounds. Was she on a starvation diet for the last decade? This meltdown is now a phenomenon.

My advice? Do not let this woman near a gun.

When the former high priestess of pop was filmed on Thursday attacking a photographers car with an umbrella, any opportunity for Team Britney to limit the damage caused by her previously erratic behaviour was gone.

Spearss shocking, self-administered buzz cut earlier in the week could have been forgiven as a rebellious act or an impulsive attempt at an image revamp.

But once the footage emerged of her bashing a photographers four-wheel-drive with the umbrella while hurling a stream of foul language, it was clear the singer was no longer merely lonely, confused and erratic. She was perilously close to – if not beyond – breaking point.

Spears climbed out of her car at a traffic light and attacked one of the photographers who have followed her since her return to LA, after reportedly checking out of an Antiguan rehab clinic in less than 24 hours.

With her eyes wide and her teeth gritted, she took the paparazzi by surprise with the ferocity of her actions. One photographer suffered scratches and bruises on his back from the beating before Spears sped off.

The miserable Daily Mail in London made this report which might be dubious, but still interesting — this is a slip from yet another gossip rag:

The paper is also reporting what led to the latest white hot meltdown. According to friends, Britney’s current volatile state is due in part to clashes with her mother. “After she broke up with Kevin, Britney went into wild partying mode. One night she took home two female lapdancers with her. And the next day she told Lynne, “I’ve had it with men – I’m off them”.

“Her mother lost it with her. She is devoutly religious and was telling her it was against God what she was suggesting. She was telling her she was possessed by the Devil. Lynne was saying she needed to go to rehab to cleanse her soul.”

related link:
Suicide watch?

Next stop on the train? The made-for TV movie with Christina Aguilera playing Britney and Morgan Fairchild playing Paris Hilton. Script! Title? MELTDOWN. It’s gold, Jerry! Gold!

Christina, more versatile, less bald.

UPDATE: Tales of Drug Use Now Hit the Headlines in London