Leach denies 'sleepy' Britney story

Claims that Britney Spears' New Year's Eve party collapse was nothing more than a tired pop star falling asleep have been ridiculed by US TV personality Robin Leach, who was feet away from the Toxic singer when she slumped to the floor.

Spears was hosting a New Year's party at Las Vegas' Pure nightclub when she apparently passed out and her aides worked quickly to dispute reports she had fainted.

But Brit Leach, who has become a gossip columnist in Las Vegas, is far from convinced.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News Radio, Leach says: "She suddenly slides to the floor. Pandemonium and panic break out in her 27-strong person camp.

"The woman standing two feet away from me immediately shouts out at the top of her voice, 'Make sure there are no pictures, no photographers at all!'

"At the same time, her bodyguard, who was four feet from me, calls for extra security, and the bodyguards from Pure nightclub race up there."

But Spears' manager Larry Rudolph insists Leach's version of events is all wrong: "By about one o'clock, she (Spears) was just done, so we took her out… She was just tired and falling asleep."