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Britney Spears announced last week she was leaving the show after just one season as a judge and insiders claim it is because program chiefs refused her salary demands of $18 million. A source told RadarOnline.com “When producers asked if she wanted to return for the third season of ‘The X Factor’, Britney’s reps said she would only come back if she was offered $18 million. But after much deliberation, they just felt that Britney wasn’t worth that much because she wasn’t bringing enough to the table.”

The insider continued “Her performance as a judge was scrutinized, and she didn’t really add anything to the show. They felt she didn’t warrant a $3 million pay hike. When she originally signed up for $15 million last season, it was stressed that was as far as the network could go financially for her.”

Announcing her departure from the show on Friday, Britney said she wanted to go back to her music career, releasing the statement “I’ve made the very difficult decision not to return for another season. I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges and I am so proud of my teens but it’s time for me to get back in the studio. Watching them all do their thing up on that stage every week made me miss performing so much! I can’t wait to get back out there and do what I love most.”

Britney Spears will be spending Christmas with her fiance, Jason Trawick. The X Factor judge plans to celebrate the holiday season with her fiance, her two sons, Sean Preston, seven, and Jayden James, six, her parents and sister Jamie Lynn in her hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana.

A source told the New York Post newspaper “Britney and Jason are bringing her sons down to Louisiana to be with the family, including her sister and her mom Lynne.” The pop star, who had her kids with ex-husband Kevin Federline, is planning a low-key festive celebration and hopes to relax with her loved ones after her prominent judging role on Simon Cowell’s talent show.

Britney, 31, is yet to decide whether she wants to sign up for another season of the singing competition after fellow judge L.A. Reid’s shock departure, and will be using the time at home to make up her mind. The source added “She loved working with the contestants and the girls, but she doesn’t yet know if she’ll do another season.”

Britney got engaged to Jason, her former agent, last December and the couple have purchased a new $8.5 million house together. The pop singer recently praised her man for the support he gives her, gushing “It amazes me that no matter what situation I’m in. Jason has the ability to make me feel protected and loved.”