Strict security for Britney TV appearance

Audience members for a British TV recording with Britney Spears today will go through airport-style metal detectors as show bosses put strict security measures in place.

The pop princess is being interviewed by chat show host and comic Frank Skinner for a one-off special to be screened in just over a week.

And he is lined up to sing with Spears when she appears on the show during her whirlwind promotional visit to the UK.

Spears has already recorded a Top of the Pops appearance which will be screened tonight but will also sing on Skinner’s programme, although no details about their collaboration were being released.

The star has been surrounded by a team of giant minders throughout her short stay in London.

A source on the Skinner show said: ‘‘All the audience members will be subjected to strict checks. There will be X-ray checks and they will be given the once over with metal detectors to stop them smuggling cameras and recording equipment in.

‘‘We don’t normally have to have anything like this but we decided to step up security for her.’’

Members of the audience landed their tickets without knowing who the guest was going to be after applying through a website which fills seats for TV recordings.

They will be checked off an invite list to make sure they have not sold their tickets on to anyone else when they arrive at the studio in London.

Skinner is known for his often near-the-knuckle questioning but has not been told to tone down his approach.

A spokesman for the programme said: ‘‘In line with the other guests on five series of The Frank Skinner Show, Britney Spears has not placed any conditional stipulations on her forthcoming interview with Frank.’’

Jon Thoday, executive producer of the programme, said: ‘‘In the current climate where there are a number of both new and established chat shows in the UK, we are delighted that Britney has chosen to come on The Frank Skinner Show.’’

Spears is staying in a swish suite at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge.