Spears returns to 'How I Met Your Mother'

Britney Spears is to return to US sitcom How I Met Your Mother following the success of her cameo last month, reports claim.

According to People, the singer has signed a one-episode deal to make a second appearance on the CBS series.

A source said: "The show is ecstatic and so is Britney. She had so much fun the first time around she really wanted to come back. It was a mutual decision to work together more.''

Spears's guest spot as a doctor's receptionist was praised by critics and earned ratings of 10.6 million, an increase of almost 2 million on the show's season average.

Executive producer Carter Bays previously said she was welcome to return, although star Neil Patrick Harris denied rumours that she would become a regular castmate.