The release date of troubled chanteuse Britney Spears' forthcoming album has been moved forward two weeks after some of the tracks found their way into cyberspace, Reuters reports.

Her label Jive Records confirmed today that the appropriately-titled Blackout will thrill the planet on 29 October (30 October in the US), ahead of the planned 13 November unleashing.

A Jive Records statement declared: "Due to these numerous unauthorised online leaks, the label is doing everything possible to prevent and avoid any further illegal distribution of songs, including moving up the release date of the album to 30 October."

Fans can already enjoy one offering from the album, Gimme More*, which "soared to No 1 on the digital songs charts earlier this month, posting 179,000 US downloads during its first week".

It has also ascended to No 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart - something which will doubtless cheer up the allegedly clothes-allergic pop princess while the kids are away at their dad's. ®

Bootnote

*Yes, yes, but give me more what exactly? Answers on a postcard to the usual address.

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