Cast hails Britney's 'Glee' role

Britney Spears' was a "magical" 'Glee' guest star, according to the cast of the show.

The 'Toxic' singer played herself in a special episode of the musical drama, which aired in the US last night, and the regular cast members were thrilled to have her on board for the show because they were such big fans of her music.

Naya Rivera - who portrays Santana - revealed: "I love Britney Spears. I mean, who doesn't? We all grew up with her. The first music purchase I ever made was 'Baby One More Time' on cassette. It was like, Britney Spears is going to be in my mitts, what do I do?

"And I was like: 'Hi Britney!' And then she was like: 'Hey!' She was awesome and beautiful. She was magical."

Heather Morris, who plays cheerleader Brittany, got particularly close to the singer in the episode, which was titled 'Britney/Brittany', and the 23-year-old actress admits she was in awe of her co-star.

She gushed: "I just sat there and stared at her. Like: 'Wow, I'm just hanging out with Britney Spears as Brittany the character. We're doing a scene. I'm singing her songs. It was weird.

"When I was younger she was, like, my idol. I am, like, literally an inch away from Britney Spears, who I used to watch on television and, like, learn dance moves to. ... It's Spearstacular."