Britney Spears won't be making her live return at next months MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, her manager says.

The singer, who has been nominated for best video, was said to have been in talks with organisers about performing live.

But her manager, Larry Rudolph, told the Associated Press that the singer was “never slated to perform”.

"She's in the middle of recording her next album, which is going amazingly well, and her focus remains on the studio,” he added.

Spears last performance at the event came in 2007, when she made a shambolic attempt to preview her latest album, 'Blackout'.

This years VMAs will be presented by comedian Russell Brand and artists scheduled to perform live include T.I., Rihanna, Lil' Wayne and Paramore.

(by Jason Gregory)