Britney Spears binged on drink and drugs and nearly overdosed just weeks after checking out of rehab, according to her former bodyguard Tony Barretto.

The revelations formed part of Barretto's testimony during Spears' court battle with ex Kevin Federline over custody of their two children Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one.

He claims he discovered the singer barely conscious and surrounded by drugs in a California hotel room with rumored fling Howie Day, just weeks after they both left rehab and hours before she was due to begin her comeback tour.

He says, "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Britney was completely out of it. We thought she'd overdosed. She was distraught, crying. Her skin was all waxy.

"We were panicking. We thought she was going to die."

He also claims Spears was regularly under the influence of alcohol and drugs while caring for her children - and took enjoyment from parading around naked.

Barretto adds, "I must have seen her naked dozens of times and each time I've been extremely embarrassed.

"I was worried about the children due to her erratic behaviour. She wouldn't talk to them at all and she would be in her own world.

"I have done this for her children. She's not a good mother. She has mental problems. With her drug and booze issues, her home is no place for kids to be raised."

Barretto's testimony could mean that Britney, 25, loses custody of Jayden James and Sean Preston to Federline.

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