BATMAN - SILVERSTONE DENIES QUITTING TV SHOW BECAUSE OF SPEARS

BATMAN + ROBIN star ALICIA SILVERSTONE is laughing off reports she pulled out of a role in U.S. sitcom HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER after learning she'd be appearing opposite BRITNEY SPEARS. Spears plays a receptionist/secretary in an upcoming episode of the show, and insiders claim her boss was supposed to be the big screen's one-time Batgirl. But Silverstone's publicist Elizabeth Much insists the actress' links to the TV show ended long before Spears' name was even mentioned. She explains, "Alicia was in discussions to do the show but the deal never went through. This happens all of the time in Hollywood. It had nothing to do with Britney." Spears will play a secretary to actor Josh Radner's character Ted when the episode airs in America later this year (08).