Britney Spears rehires former assistant

Troubled popstar Britney Spears has re-hired her former assistant Alli Sims after her predecessor, Shannon Funk was fired last month.

Sims had dinner with Spears and a mystery man at Winston's in West Hollywood on Thursday, after Britney asked her cousin to assist her until she finds someone full-time.

Sims, who quit Britney's employ to concentrate on her singing career, agreed.

A source says, "Britney and Alli split on really good terms and Alli was very good at her job, so Britney wanted her back almost as soon as she'd quit.

"Britney was particularly impressed when Alli stood up for and insisted she was a great mom in a recent interview with People magazine. She knows Alli is someone she can trust."