BBC News Online: Entertainment

Britney hosts farewell bash

Police closed the street outside Planet Hollywood, central London, where the party was held, as celebrities arrived.

Britney, 18, went to the party straight from a sell-out gig at the London Arena.

She smiled and said "thank you" as she was presented with a doll of herself as she was bundled into the VIP lounge.

The US star, who was dressed in tight denim jeans with rips down the side, snakeskin pointed boots and a purple top with feathers, spent just over an hour at the party.

Actor Macaulay Culkin, currently appearing on the West End stage, arrived with a group of girls.

Jamie Bell, star of ballet film Billy Elliot, also attended and was accompanied by his family.

Others who showed up included singer Finley Quaye, pop band A1, Page Three model Jordan and Tara Newley, daughter of actress Joan Collins.

Britney is coming to the end of the European leg of her global tour.

She shot to fame last year with her debut single Baby One More Time which became the most successful UK single selling more than 1.5 million copies.

Her squeaky clean image was dented earlier this month when pictures of her leaving a German nightclub looking worse for wear were published in several national newspapers.