Britney appears in animated form for her new video Break the Ice

With notoriously erratic Britney Spears looking spotty-faced and more out of shape that ever, producers have turned to the realm of make-believe for her latest video.

The clip for her forthcoming single Break The Ice features an animated incarnation of the troubled pop star, where she appears as a slim line superhero who prowls through a futuristic world in a black catsuit.
Britney Spears transformed into a slimline superhero for her new animated video

The makers, seemingly desperate to recapture her former glory, have modelled the image on Britney's appearance in the video for her 2003 hit Toxic.

But it barely resembles the star's current dishevelled look, more portly stature and blotchy skin.

Sources insist Britney was "otherwise occupied," forcing producers decided this "creative" way to approach her next release.

But it seems the 26-year-old could not be more eager to get back to work.
Blonde ambition: Britney's character sports her trademark blonde locks, despite the fact the woman herself now has dyed her hair brown

The star, who spent time in a psychiatric ward earlier this year, signed on for a guest spot on the US series How I Met Your Mother last week.

She has just finished filming the part, where she plays a dorky receptionist in dermatologist's office.

The series creator Craig Thomas said: "Britney's not playing a version of herself. I think that's part of what appealed to her."

"We were thrilled: 'Britney Spears watches our show!'"

Her decision to took the program's lead actor Neil Patrick Harris by surprise.

He said: "I was shocked that Madame Spears was willing to come and do some acting."

While he notes "she hasn't acted in a while," he says: "This is a very interesting role. It is very not like her at all in real life in any of her previous chapters."

It is Spears' first small screen appearance since guest starring on Will & Grace in 2006.
Reality: Britney, stepping out in LA, barely resembles her fictional incarnation