Silverstone denies Spears sitcom claim

Alicia Silverstone has denied rumours that she pulled out of a guest spot in US sitcom How I Met Your Mother after learning she would be starring with Britney Spears.

E! Online had reported that the actress felt having Spears on set would be "too chaotic".

Scrubs actress Sarah Chalke is now thought to be playing Stella, a doctor who catches the eye of main character Ted (Josh Radnor). Spears will take the role of Stella's receptionist Abby.

However, Silverstone's representative said plans for her to appear in the show were abandoned before the singer's name cropped up.

She told Access Hollywood: "There was never a deal for [Alicia] to do How I Met Your Mother. There was a discussion… Never a formal offer. These reports are false."

Spears's episode is expected to air in the US on March 24.