SIMON Cowell, the host of Britain's X Factor nicknamed Mr Nasty, says Britney Spears's career may be finished following her disastrous return to the stage at the MTV video music awards this week.

“If I had been looking after Britney I’d have taken one look at her in rehearsals and I wouldn’t have allowed her on stage,” Cowell told The Sun.

“It would have been worth pulling her off the bill – no matter what the cost – to save any chance she had of resurrecting her career. She wasn’t ready for that show in every possible way."