Singer Britney Spears arrives at the Cannes festival palace to attend the NRJ Music Awards in Cannes in this Jan. 24, 2004 file photo.
The 27-year-old singer - who has achieved incredible success with comeback album "Circus" - took the coveted number one spot in the list, made up of the stars who have received the most coverage and mentions on U.S. TV show "Entertainment Tonight" in the past year.
An ET writer explained: "From a historical election to surprising splits, sizzling romances and major comebacks, 2008 was a remarkable year for celebrity news." Britney - who has got her life back on track following her public breakdown, in which she shaved her head and lost custody of her two sons to ex-husband Kevin Federline - was followed on the list by US TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey.
Rounding off the top five were Brad Pitt, U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama and Brad's partner Angelina Jolie. Other celebrities included in the top 20 were George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith and Miley Cyrus.
ET's annual Hot List, top 20 people of 2008:
1. Britney Spears
2. Oprah Winfrey
3. Brad Pitt
4. Barack Obama
5. Angelina Jolie
6. George Clooney
7. Tom Cruise
8. Donny Osmond
9. Jennifer Aniston
10. Julianne Hough
11. Hillary Clinton
12. Marie Osmond
13. Miley Cyrus
14. Madonna
15. Katie Holmes
16. John McCain
17. America Ferrera
18. Michelle Obama
19. Will Smith
20. Valerie Bertinelli
