Take That have slammed Britney Spears after the singer appeared to mime during a recent performance on The X Factor.

“I don’t see the point of Britney anymore, she was rubbish on the show,” singer and songwriter Gary Barlow said.

“I think she’s more famous than she deserves to be now.”

Spears performance, her first in the UK for four years, was panned by critics and fans – and came a week after Take That performed live on the show.

Barlow told the Mirror newspaper: “Why come on a show like that and mime? I don’t like her new song either. Her old stuff was great but maybe she should have spent more time on this one.”

Band mate Howard Donald added: “The truth is all the contestants on X Factor are so talented and were able to sing and dance live, so why couldn’t Britney do it?

“It’s the whole point of the show and her miming looked stupid.”

Spears appearance ended a short whistle-stop publicity tour which also included performances in Germany and France.

As previously reported, Take That are currently outselling Spears in the race to top the UK charts this week.

The band's new album, 'The Circus', sold 132,985 copies on Monday (December 1st), over one hundred thousand more than Spears' 'Circus'.

(by Jason Gregory)