It was denied at the time as nothing more than a storm in a teacup. But Simon Cowell has sensationally admitted Britney Spears did in fact try to walk out on The X Factor USA permanently when she stormed off set following a panic attack.

And the show’s resident Mr Nasty has now said he ‘half-lied’ at the time when he dismissed claims the $15m judge wanted to leave after a walk-off incident in Austin, Texas on her first day in the job.

He told TMZ: ‘No one is going to admit that on the first day your highest paid star after 20 minutes has walked off set.’

The 52-year-old has now conceded the Baby, One More Time star ‘had a moment on the first day where she said to me “I’m not sure I can do this.”‘

However the modest music mogul said he used all of his powers of persuasion to get her to stay on. The move seems to have paid off, as Simon is now delighted with how the former teen idol is performing in her role.

At the time, sources at the show closed ranks, with Britney taking to Twitter to deny the walk out claims.

She wrote: ‘#Britneywalksoff??? LOL was just taking a little break people. I am having the BEST time!!!’

It was first reported by an eyewitness that she took off after a budding contestant did a terrible rendition of her hit song, Hold It Against Me.

The singer was absent during four auditions, with an empty seat seen on stage between Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato. The eyewitness said that Britney was accompanied off stage by her fiance Jason Trawick.

She later walked off again during an audition in Kansas due to a contestant’s rudeness, and refused to come back out for the rest of the filming session.

Reports later emerged she is believed to suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but is unable to take medication for it.

Elite.