Dance artist Moby has said that Britney Spears’ meltdown has been caused by a combination of factors, including substance abuse.

Speaking to the Guardian, Moby, who produced a track on Spears’ 2003 album ‘In The Zone’, said it was breaking his heart to see what was happening to the singer.

"I think what's happening is the combination of hardcore substance abuse coupled with ... she doesn't know who she is," Moby said.

"She became an international icon aged 16. My armchair dilettante psychoanalysis of what's going on is she's punishing herself and saying to the world, 'You loved me when I was a 16-year-old ingenue, do you love me now I'm a 26-year-old drug-damaged person?'”

Spears spent time on a psychiatric ward in Los Angeles earlier this month after concerns were raised about her state of mind.

“In a weird way she's challenging people, but it's breaking my heart because ultimately she's not doing things on a symbolic level,” Moby added.

“Cutting your hair off is symbolic. Losing your children and becoming a drug addict is not."

(by Jason Gregory)