This was definitely Britney's biggest year - and we don't mean in a good way!

Wow what a year for the Spears family! It all started to go downhill in February when Britney went to a haircutting studio in California and shaved off all her locks. The world watched in disbelief on YouTube as she merrily sheared away and skipped out of the salon!

Then just a few days later, the newly bald singer went AWOL and attacked a pap’s car with an umbrella. At this point we all held our breath… was Britney having a breakdown?

Britters tried to make a come back in September at the MTV Video Music Awards but instead her performance was met with disbelief and mockery, it was described as embarrassing, painful and excruciating. Her trademark killer moves were reduced to feeble leg wobbling and some head shaking!

Just when we thought Britney had lost all respect, a nutty fan called Chris Crocker stirred things up with a hilarious YouTube plea called Leave Britney Alone! – somehow it spoke volumes about her existing fan base...

In October, Britney lost the custody of her children, Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James to ex-husband Kevin Federline, the couple had previously shared custody of their children but the reason for the change was not given. The decision came two weeks after the same judge said the pop star engaged in “habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol”

At this point nothing could surprise us, or so we thought until last week it was announced that Britney’s 16-year-old sister Jamie Lynn is pregnant by her ‘ long term partner’! Unsurprisingly they have now split up!

Britney’s mum was to publish a book on good parenting next year, but predictably these plans have been delayed, indefinitely.

So what’s the upside for the Spears family in 2008? Erm, that things can only get better, we hope!