Pop princess Britney Spears is glad The X Factor brought her "out of her shell" this year.

The international superstar starred on the hit TV talent show's judging panel this series alongside Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, and Demi Lovato.

Spears is glad mentoring in the singing competition has allowed her confidence to blossom.

She explained to People: "It's no secret I'm a shy person. I feel doing this show over the past year has allowed me to come out of my shell a lot more. Everyone on the show has been amazing and made me feel really comfortable."

Spears also reflected on the rest of her 2012, and revealed that her two sons, Preston, seven, and Jayden, six, have provided her with endless happy memories.

She gushed: "It's really amazing to see how quickly my boys are growing up. It seems like yesterday I was reading books to them at night. Now I sit and listen to them read me books!"