The US pop star's tour promoter, Paul Dainty, said reports that concert-goers stormed out of Friday's show in Perth because it was lackluster and not performed live were "the biggest lie I've ever heard."

"I'm so angry," he told The Australian newspaper.

"We can take heat if there's something wrong and people can review shows badly - that's something you have to live with - but to say people stormed out of the show was an absolute fabrication."

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Spears, 27, is on her first major tour in five years after a high-profile meltdown and myriad personal problems.

She was rattled by reports that some people left after just three songs at the Perth show, Dainty said.

"Britney is aware of all this and she's extremely upset by it," he said. "She's a human being. I'm embarrassed, with such a big international entourage here with Britney, to be part of the Australian media when I see that kind of totally inaccurate reporting."

Management at Perth's Burswood Dome, where the first concert was held, said they had received no complaints from the 17,000 people who attended the show during which Spears mimed to some of the songs.

"From Burswood's perspective, the event was a huge success," a spokesman said.

But one fan told the Nine Network: "People are paying for it and have come here, so she should sing."

Spears will perform at 15 concerts in Australia.

After Perth, she will take the stage in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane as part of the Circus tour which kicked off in the southern US city of New Orleans in March.

The extravaganza had earlier hit trouble as Australian fans voiced unhappiness that it was not all sung live, with New South Wales state officials suggesting tickets should carry disclaimers. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE