Britney joins Skinner's croon show

Britney Spears fans will see their idol perform a duet with a difference when she appears on comic Frank Skinner’s TV chat show.

The pop princess teamed up with Skinner to perform the Sonny and Cher hit I Got You Babe at a recording of the one-off special last night.

Spears is more used to duetting with singing superstars like Michael Jackson but was happy to take to the stage with Skinner.

The 20-year-old starlet, wearing a glamorous black top and pinstripe trousers, also had the audience in stitches when she joined him in a comedy sketch.

A source on the show said: ‘‘It was a great interview and Britney was fantastic. The sketch was absolutely hilarious and they closed the show with the duet.’’

Skinner is known for his near-the-knuckle questioning and there has been speculation on whether he would quiz Spears about her claims to still be a virgin.

The source said: ‘‘Frank did touch on the subject - but you’ll have to watch the show to find out what was said.’’

Although Spears arrived on her two-day promotional tour with an impressive entourage and has been constantly surrounded by burly minders, she made no diva-like demands when she appeared on the show.

‘‘She didn’t ask for anything outlandish - in fact the only thing she asked for in her dressing room was water,’’ the source said.

Audience members at the TV recording went through airport-style metal detectors as show bosses put strict security measures in place.

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

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

After the show Spears and her entourage jetted out of the country to France on the next leg of her whistle-stop promotional tour.

Earlier, Spears appeared on Top of the Pops and told show host Jamie Theakston she was having a great time on her visit to London.

During the programme, recorded yesterday, she wore a revealing catsuit to perform her current single Overprotected.

:: The Frank Skinner Show featuring Spears is on ITV1 on Saturday January 26 at 9.45pm.