Lynne Spears: 'Britney & Justin Timberlake Were Too Similar' 9/15/08

Britney Spears' mother Lynne has spoken of her devastation when her daughter ended her relationship with Justin Timberlake - branding the break-up "terrible."

The pair met on the set of Disney kids show The Mickey Mouse Club as children and dated for four years. They split up in 2002 amid rumors of Spears' infidelity.

And Lynne Spears insists that the split was incredibly difficult for the pop star - and may have been caused because the former couple's personalities were too alike.

She writes in her forthcoming book Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World, "(The split) was a terrible thing for all involved. I wish they would have parted ways differently, rather than to hurt each other and leave all those scars.

"They were a lot alike - perhaps too similar - and butted their strong wills together too often."

And Lynne hopes the two can rebuild their friendship.

She adds, "They have each grown in compassion and maturity. Here's hoping they can be true friends and put any leftover missing puzzle pieces together for good."