Britney Spears hosted a party in London last night, 16 September, to launch the European leg of her Cheryl Cole, JLS, Jessie J and Jude Lawstayed away. Instead, Britney mingled with The Only Way Is Essexstar Pussycat Dollssinger Kimberly Wyatt, Katie Waisseland girl band Parade.

The Gimme More singer has been in London for several days ahead of her tour, which kicks off in St Petersburg on 22 September. Her first UK date is in Belfast on 25 October, followed by shows in London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.

While she’s here, Britney is filming the video for her next single, Criminal, which will see her embark Bonnie and Clyde-style crime spree across the capital.

Earlier this month she tweeted about how much she was looking forward to visiting Blighty. “So excited to stop over in the UK before I start my European tour in a few weeks," she wrote. "Can't wait! I LOVE London, it's like my second home.”