'Best day ever': Britney Spears responds to end of 13 year conservatorship over her life

ITV News Correspondent Robert Moore was outside the court as ecstatic fans reacted to the news that Britney Spears' conservatorship has been ended

A judge has formally brought the Britney Spears' conservatorship to an end, handing back full control of her life and affairs to the singer.

It follows 14 years of a legal arrangement, mostly watched over by her father Jamie Spears, that has controlled almost every aspect the popstar's life.

Posting on Instagram afterwards, the 39-year-old wrote: "I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen"

The case was propelled into international recognition by the #FreeBritney movement, many of whom were outside court in Los Angeles on Friday for the hearing.

Sharing a video of the group outside court, Spears wrote: "Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy".

The campaign to 'Free Britney' and the star's own shocking testimony about the trauma she has suffered brought the whole system of conservatorships in American law sharply into focus.

It even gained the attention of the US Congress.

Judge Brenda J Penny listened to 30 minutes of testimony before delivering her decision on Friday.

She added two caveats as she granted Spears control once more over her own life.

Unscripted - Listen to the ITV News Podcast

The judge said an accountant serving as a temporary conservator should retain some powers, but added the complex legal arrangement is “effective today… thereby terminated”.

The decision to end the arrangement closed one of the most controversial chapters in modern pop music history and handed Spears the keys to her estimated 60 million dollar (£45 million) estate.

Spears was placed under the conservatorship in 2008 after suffering a series of mental breakdowns.