Britney Spears has been praised for her guest appearance on US TV show How I Met Your Mother.

The troubled pop star played a love-struck receptionist in a clinic who falls for the main character Ted on the CBS show.

Media and crisis management consultant Robbie Vorhaus told a US newspaper: "This will be remembered as the beginning of the return of Britney as an actress, a personality, as someone trying to be normal in a pretty crazed world. Good for her."

Spears spent two days filming the scenes and executive producer Carter Bays described her as "a professional".

He was quoted as saying: "She seemed to have a good time. I think she was grateful to be here."

The 26-year-old last made a TV show guest appearance in the sitcom Will & Grace in 2006.

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