Britney Spears‘ cousin Alli Sims has said the star’s crazy year wasn’t quite as crazy as it seemed.

Britney and Alli were practically inseparable for the year following the end of Britney’s marriage to Kevein Federline in October 2006. The pair were frequently spotted out and about together, always surrounded by a chaotic rabble of photographers which resulted in countless shots of wardrobe malfunctions, various odd exchanges (such as Britney’s use of an English-accented alter-ego and the time Britney started hitting a photographer’s car with an umbrella) and moments of sheer panic.

Alli, who was officially Britney’s personal assistant, told US showbiz news programme Extra: “It seemed a lot crazier than it really was because it made simple things just like going to Starbucks seem so out of hand.

“It was insane because of the paparazzi, but it really wasn’t that bad when you were sitting there going through it personally.

“I just thought it was interesting how people expected us to stay home and not go anywhere. It’s not her fault she has that many people following her around.”

Alli and Britney eventually went their separate ways after Britney lost custody of her sons, was repeatedly hospitalised and eventually was placed under the control of her dad, Jamie Spears. Since then, Britney can only speak to people with the agreement of her dad - and Alli hasn’t made the list so far.

But she added: “I definitely think I’ll talk to her soon. It’s not like we’re never going to talk again.”