Britney Spears gives comeback performance in 'How I Met Your Mother'

Britney Spears marked a triumphant return to the small screen in hit US sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother' Monday.

The troubled star's guest appearance on the show has been seen as the first step on a possible road to recovery for the pop wreck.

The 26-year-old singer -- who was recently admitted into the psychiatric ward of the UCLA Medical Center -- played a nerdy receptionist in a tattoo-removal clinic who falls for the main character Ted on the CBS show.

Britney's role on the show, her last sitcom appearance since guest starring in Will & Grace in 2006, was seen as the start of a possible comeback for the Toxic star.

Media and crisis management consultant Robbie Vorhaus told the USA Today newspaper: "This will be remembered as the beginning of the return of Britney as an actress, a personality, as someone trying to be normal in a pretty crazed world. Good for her."

Spears -- whose dad Jamie currently has control over her affairs -- spent two days filming the scenes, and received a positive response from the cast of the show.

The move was a light-hearted departure from the months of erratic behavior, child custody disputes and police stand-offs which have blighted the young star's life in recent months.

Carter Bays, the show's executive producer, added: "I thought I was hallucinating when I got the call.

"Our intention was to give a funny little part to an up-and-coming actress. Instead, we got the most downloaded person in the world."

He added: "There were no diva moments. She's a professional. Her people... her parents were there.

"She seemed to have a good time. I think she was grateful to be here."

Britney's co-stars have all praised the star's efforts on the show.

"She's friendly, shows up on time, knows all her lines, nails all of her jokes," said co-star Josh Radnor. "The only thing scandalous about all of this is how non-scandalous it is."

Fellow co-star Neil Patrick Harris admits he was skeptical when he heard the star, whose last high-profile TV spot was her disastrous showing at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, was signing on to their show.

"I kept saying, 'You're serious? She's going to do it? She's not going to back out?'," he admits.

But he hoped the experience may be a good grounding one for Britney.

"I don't know how often she's just hung out with other actors and normal, regular people. I hope she enjoys the system."

Jason Segel said: "Her improvs were really good.

"Sometimes at table reads you play around with lines and try different things.

"She came up with stuff that had everyone laughing.

"She's definitely a comedian."

Alyson Hannigan added: "She was so funny and she already had her character down pat.

"I had no idea she had such great comic timing."

Hannigan also felt the need to mother Britney during filming.

"I was checking on Britney all the time," she said. "And I felt very protective of her, and I wanted to make sure she was happy and comfortable."

Britney's spot on the prime-time show was booked as a one-off guest spot. But bosses have certainly not ruled out her return.

"The episode ends on a funny note - it definitely leaves it open for her to come back," Thomas said.

Britney seems open to the idea, too.

"I'm having a blast," she said. "Working at 'How I Met Your Mother' has been so terrific. Everyone has been wonderful."