Russell Brand has shot a video alongside Britney Spears which will be shown ahead of this years MTV Video Music Awards.

The comedian and actor, who is hosting the American awards ceremony in September, filmed the promotional footage with the singer earlier this month.

Brand plays the “sexuality card” with Spears in the video – but fails to get anywhere with the popstar.

“He is flirting with her and tells her he can feel a powerful sexual tension between them,” a source told the Sun newspaper.

“But Britney has the measure of him, saying she doesn’t feel any tension – before referring to him as Russell Brown. She really puts him in his place.

As previously reported, it has been suggested that Spears may perform at the ceremony in Los Angeles in a bid to avenge her shambolic comeback at last year's event.

(by Jason Gregory)