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BEIJING, Aug. 31-- A British talk-show host is claiming that he legally married Britney Spears while interviewing her in a hotel room shortly after she split from boyfriend Justin Timberlake.

British TV host Richard Bacon, who was sacked from popular BBC children's show Blue Peter for taking cocaine, alleges that he legally tied the knot with Spears while interviewing her for the U.K. morning show"The Big Breakfast" in March 2002.

British TV host Richard Bacon has claimed

that he legally married Britney Spears while interviewing her in a hotel

room in March 2002.(Photo: BBC)"It was the first time she'd told anyone she'd split with[Justin] Timberlake and I had a bit of plan, as I had hoped to get the admission out of her about the split," Bacon, who also has a British radio show, told his listeners."I had a vicar waiting round the corner with a real marriage certificate. I went down on one knee in front of her and said'Would you marry me?' and she said'Hey sure.'" Bacon says he called in the vicar, who had a legitimate marriage certificate, and they both signed it.

Britney Spears& her husband Kevin

Federline But after the show was over,"I'm walking off with the marriage certificate down the corridor when this massive security guard comes hurtling after me, takes it out of my hand and tears it up as he realized what I'd done and that it was legally binding," Bacon says.

Although the certificate was destroyed, Bacon claims the marriage still exists because an ordained vicar conducted the ceremony complete with witnesses.

But a spokesperson for Britney has denied the claims, saying,"Sorry to break Richard's heart, but Britney Spears is legally married to her husband Kevin Federline and is expecting their first child together very soon. I hope Richard is able to accept this and move on from what must be a confusing time for him."

(Agencies)