Britney Spears is SINGLE again after splitting from Charlie Ebersol

Britney Spears has split up from Charlie Ebersol after eight months of dating – and following her declaration that she was “the happiest I’ve ever been” with him.

Charlie – who has the misfortune of having a surname that sounds like piles cream – is no longer anywhere to be seen on Britney’s Instagram, and there’s speculation something big must have happened between them.

It was only recently that Brit was gushing about her boyfriend, telling one interviewer:

“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m in a real good place. I’m very blessed.”

She also said her two sons – Sean Preston, nine, and eight-year-old Jayden – got on really well with Charlie.

“They relate to him really well and they have fun together. He’s refreshing to be around and really light-hearted,” she said of him.

They’d even talked about marriage and future babies, apparently, with one source suggesting Charlie had already asked Brit’s dad Jamie Spears for permission to propose to his daughter.

Britney hasn't yet spoken publicly about the split, although a source told Us Weekly: “I just felt that he was in it for the wrong reasons.”

Charlie, meanwhile, posted this video of himself with his dog on Instagram, captioning it:

"We are nothing if we are not a collection of the scars, tattoos, and smiles of a life well lived. I wish for you today, that you find great joy in the joy you spark in others.

"If nothing else, I hope you're happy just in knowing that you made me happy. It is never lost on me the love with which I have been blessed. For that, I aim to live up to Colossians 3:12."

Britney Spears' terrifying smile