Britney Spears to open Grammys

Los Angeles - Britney Spears is to perform at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

The Womanizer hitmaker - who is to release her as yet untitled seventh studio album in March - is to open the prestigious awards ceremony on February 13 with her new number one hit single Hold It Against Me.

According to gossip website Bloginity.com, while the 29-year-old singer has been the subject of rumours surrounding the upcoming event for some weeks, this is the first time an official Grammys source has been able to confirm that she will be opening the ceremony.

The troubled star - who won the 2005 Best Dance Recording Grammy for Toxic - released Hold It Against Me earlier than initially planned on MP3 downloading service iTunes, and thanked fans for their support in sending it straight to the top of the charts.

She tweeted: "Don't #HOLDITAGAINSTME for coming out early. I couldn't wait any longer. Hope you don't mind. Seriously, I have the best fans ever. I love you all so much!! Everything I do is for you! xoxo Brit (sic)."

Britney joins the likes of rapper Eminem - who leads this year's nominations with ten nods in ten categories - Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and indie group Arcade Fire, who have all confirmed they will also be performing at the event.