A swell looking Britney Spears on a beach

Britney Spears looks fit and healthy as she relaxes on a beach – and shows she is putting her troubles behind her.

The singer appeared rounded and happy in a bikini as she took a much-needed break after a turbulent time when drink and drugs binges led to her being sectioned.
Taking control: A swell-looking Britney Spears steers a quad bike on a ride with her friend
Relaxed: Britney enjoys a smoke on her stay with Braveheart actor Mel Gibson

Britney, 26, is on holiday with her father Jamie, staying with Braveheart actor Mel Gibson and his wife Robyn at his £13million ranch in Costa Rica.

Mel and Britney became friends while neighbours in Malibu, California, and it is thought he wants her to join his therapy group to help her battle her problems with drink and drugs.
Making a splash: Britney looks a lot happier as she plays in the sea
Britney had been through a period of increasingly erratic behaviour due to her bitter custody battle with her ex-husband Kevin Federline over her sons, Sean Preston, two, and 20-month-old Jayden James.

She famously shaved off her hair, then in January held the boys hostage in a stand-off with authorities at her Los Angeles home.

A psychiatrist is thought to have treated her for bipolar disorder.

But last week, a judge granted her the right to spend three days a week with her sons under supervision.

But, sadly, Britney's troubles are not over.

There are reports a sex tape of her and British photographer Adnan Ghalib, 35, is about to be released.