BRITNEY SPEARS is cleaning house - just hours after announcing her departure from THE X FACTOR she has confirmed reports suggesting her romance with agent-turned-boyfriend JASON TRAWICK is over.

Sources recently told HollyScoop.com that Trawick has been keen to end the couple's engagement for weeks, but agreed to wait until his fiancee's stint on the TV talent show had run its course.

And as rumours about the state of the romance swirled on Friday (11Jan13), the pop superstar decided to make a clean break for it and go public with the sad news.

A statement from Spears reads: "Jason and I have decided to call off our engagement. I'll always adore him and we will remain great friends."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the couple adds, "Britney Spears and Jason Trawick have mutually agreed to end their one-year engagement... They came to the difficult decision to go their separate ways while continuing to remain friends."

And even Trawick has issued a comment, stating, "As this chapter ends for us a new one begins. I love and cherish her and her boys and we will be close forever."

The break-up news comes as Trawick's name is about to be removed from the conservatorship he shares with Britney's father, Jamie Spears. That is likely to be made official this weekend. Lawyers for all parties in the matter met in court on Friday.