Ghost of a flea

The 22-year-old has had a series of Hebrew symbols etched into the back of her neck in an act of devotion to Kabbalah, the mystical form of Judaism she was introduced to by Madonna. But unfortunately for her they are absolute gibberish.

Says a source: "She had hoped it would say new year or new era. It seems she's got the words the wrong way round. It is meaningless which will come as a bit of a blow to Britney. She's taken to Kabbalah pretty seriously and this was a big deal for her. She's going to be gutted when she finds out."

But where Madonna goes, Britney is sure to follow. Madge sported Jewish symbols on her arm in the video for the James Bond theme song Die Another Day. She has been studying Kabbalah since 1997. So both singers should really realise that tattoos are forbidden under Jewish law.