The reports are "absolutely untrue" and "disappointing. . .as Britney tries to get better, " Larry Rudolph said.

Newspapers published photographs yesterday apparently showing the star attacking a car with an umbrella.

An earlier court hearing involving Spears and her estranged husband was cancelled after she entered rehab.

"She is in rehab, and it is very disappointing that various media outlets are running these false stories about her, as Britney tries to get better, " Rudolph said.

A lawyer for Spears' husband Kevin Federline cancelled the emergency hearing in a Los Angeles family court that had been due to take place on Thursday.

It is not known what the court hearing was about, but the former couple are in dispute over custody of their children. Spears had entered the Promises treatment centre in Malibu the previous evening, according to Rudolph.

Spears, 25, has two children with Federline . . . five-monthold Jayden James and Sean Preston, aged 17 months.

The couple have joint custody under a temporary court order. Federline was married to Britney Spears for two years.

The appearance of the singer last week with a completely shaven head attracted immense media coverage.