Moby blames Britney Spears’ public downfall on her rapid rise to fame, insisting superstardom at such a young age has left her with a "hardcore substance abuse" problem and identity crisis.

The dance star, who produced a song on Spears’ 2003 In The Zone LP, claims the singer had little chance to avoid falling victim to the pressures of fame because she wasn’t mentally prepared for the worldwide adoration she received.

He says, "I think what’s happening (to Spears) is the combination of hardcore substance abuse coupled with… she doesn’t know who she is.

"She became an international icon aged 16. My armchair dilettante psychoanalysis of what’s going on is she’s punishing herself and saying to the world, ‘You loved me when I was a 16-year-old ingenue, do you love me now I’m a 26-year-old drug-damaged person?’"

And he admits he is immensely saddened by her public meltdown: "In a weird way she’s challenging people, but it’s breaking my heart because ultimately she’s not doing things on a symbolic level.

"Cutting your hair off is symbolic. Losing your children and becoming a drug addict is not."