Simon Cowell has confirmed Britney Spears will appear on his British talent show “The X-Factor,” admitting she’s the “number one booking in the world.”

Spears will perform on the show to promote her comeback album “Circus” and the music mogul, who has always been a big fan of Spears, can’t wait.

He says, “We have the number one show in England. It’s the best show for her to perform on. We’re absolutely thrilled to have her.

“Everyone wants to work with her because she’s a star. She’s the number one booking in the world at the moment for a show. … The fact that she goes a bit crazy occasionally makes her more interesting.

“And, if she wants to shave her head before she comes on the show, she’s welcome to. I don’t care.”

Britney Spears is to star at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, a year after a calamitous comeback performance at the same award ceremony. But this time the pop singer won’t be performing.

Spears will be opening the 25th annual edition of the MTV VMAs on Sunday at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, according to MTV’s website.

That means she will be on hand if she wins an award. Spears has garnered three nominations for the clip to her single “Piece of Me” — Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year.

“MTV has long played an important role in my career,” Spears said in a statement. “How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I’m excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated.”

Exactly how she planned to open the show remained unclear. In previous appearances she has kissed Madonna and performed with a writhing snake.

Spears has yet to win an MTV Video Music Award, and her nominations this year are particularly tantalizing after her much-derided appearance in 2007, when she lip-synched her way through a dance number in an ill-fitting black bikini.

Coming off two marriages, two children and two stints in rehab, Spears sought to launch a career comeback on last year’s show with a performance of the song “Gimme More” that proved a publicity bomb for her but a ratings boon for MTV.

But with Spears said to be cleaning up her act and back in the recording studio this summer, working on a new album, MTV has made the most of the suspense surrounding her possible return to the VMAs, refusing until Wednesday to say whether she might appear as a presenter or performer.

The MTV VMAs, long considered a hipper version of the Grammys, will be broadcast live on MTV on September 7, hosted by British comedian Russell Brand.

Madonna won’t have much time to fret about turning 50.

While many people passing the milestone may prefer to pause and reflect, the “queen of pop” is in the midst of final preparations for her world tour which kicks off in Cardiff, Wales, on August 23, a week after her birthday.

If previous shows are anything to go by, the 40-plus “Sticky & Sweet” dates around the globe will put Madonna under the kind of physical and mental strain that would test a woman half her age.

But the world’s most successful female recording artist has never let age, sex or background get in her way, and has remained in the ascendancy with an uncanny ability to reinvent herself just when the old Madonna was nearing her sell-by date.

Her latest reincarnation is a shrewd businesswoman, after she severed ties with long-term record label Warner Brothers to sign up with Live Nation, a company that until recently specialized in music tours.

As well as earning a reported $120 million over the life of the agreement, Madonna appeared to be among the first to recognize which way the music industry was heading.

Recorded music, many artists now believe, is making them less money than live performing, meaning they are looking to spend less time in the recording studio and more on the stage.

Britney Spears, who is looking increasingly glamorous and cheerful every day, left us drooling when she made a five minute stop at Lisa Kline on Robertson Blvd in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 9. What pop wreck? We saw a ravishing blond pop star yesterday!

The 26-year-old yummy mummy showed her well toned body in green hot pants and white tee. She accessorized with large shades, danglers, bangles and, most of all, a pendant necklace that read Jayden Preston. Her flip flops added to the casual but powerful allure.

The video shows Britney in a comical and improvised question and answer session with VMA host, Russell Brand. It also features LL Cool J, FNMTV host/ Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, and a 9,000 pound elephant!

Britney’s fans are hoping that she will perform again at the awards this year, for no other reason than to make up for her disastrous performance last year!

Despite 17 nominations Britney has yet to walk away with a VMA. This year she has been nominated under two categories for the song Piece of Me from her last album Blackout : Best Pop Video and Best Female Video.

MTV’s Video Music Awards 2008 will air live from the legendary Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood on September 7 at 9 pm. They will be hosted by British comedian Russell Brand and include performances by nominees Lil Wayne and the Jonas Brothers.

Lindsay Lohan’s third album is entitled “Spirit in the Dark” and is set to hit shelves in November.

Christopher “Tricky” Stewart has written and produced two tracks for Lindsay’s album, “Washing My Hands” and “Problem Solver”.

BFF Samantha Ronson has been previewing some of Lindsay’s tracks at her latest gigs:

Sam, a DJ on the celebrity party circuit, aired songs from Lohan’s latest offering to an audience featuring stars such as Billy Zane and Tyrese at an exclusive July 4 party at TAO Beach, Vegas.