Irish boy band Westlife insist Britney Spears won't stop their new album from reaching number one in the charts - because fans are no longer interested in her music.

The group is to release their new LP Back Home on 29 October - the week after Spears' comeback album Blackout on 22 October.

But the Flying Without Wings hitmakers aren't worried about the competition.

Singer Nicky Byrne says, "I would be surprised if Britney keeps us off number one, I don't think the interest in Britney's music is as big as it used to be.

"It's more about her personal life. I'm sure it's a good album but I think she's lost her core fan base."