Britney Spears has hired Madonna's former choreographer for her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, reports claim.

The 'Toxic' singer is thought to be opening the ceremony on September 9 and has employed RJ Durell to ensure her long-awaited comeback does not fall flat.

A source close to Durell told 24Sizzler.com: "He is co-choreographing her performance for the VMAs with Nick Flores, who worked with her as a dancer before."

Durell, who choreographed three songs on Madonna's Confessions tour, is believed to have been working with Spears for "a couple of weeks".