Britney Spears 'More Popular' Web Search Than Amy Winehouse, Barack Obama

Britney Spears was the most searched subject on the internet over the last twelve months, figure show.

The singer, who releases her new album today, was a more frequent entry into people's toolbars than Amy Winehouse and president-elect Barack Obama.

Interest in Spears' life has spiralled as she has tried to control her volatile private life.

As well as an ongoing dispute over the custody of her two children, the singer was also incarcerated for two days in a psychiatric ward last Spring.

Yahoo's top-10 searches for 2008 also included Oasis, who released their new album 'Dig Out Your Soul' in September, at four and Winehouse at seven.

"It is fascinating to look back over the last year and see the stories, personalities and subjects that have captured our imagination, some of which are almost distant memories now, and some of which continue to be the hot topics of today,” said Kristof Fahy of Yahoo! Europe.

Meanwhile, Mr Obama's name appeared at number six thanks in no small part to the huge media interest around the 2008 US elections.