Of course, Britney isn't alone in threatening to retire from showbiz, as many of the world's biggest stars have threatened similar action at some stage in their career, Britney is just the latest addition to the pile.

Justin BieberJohnny Depp
Justin Bieber and Johnny Depp have both threatened to retire this year

Most recently, Justin Bieber threatened that he was going to retire after releasing his next album. The 19-year-old Canadian appeared on Power 106 radio station last week when he revealed that he has been contemplating where o take his carrer next, revealing that his music career may be coming to an end as he looks to accomplish other things. Although his threats have been repeatedly shot down by management and his label, that fact that Justin is still a kid hasn't convinced many of us either.

Prior to this, Jay-Z actually did retire from the rap game in 2003 following the release of The Black Album, claiming at the time that he wanted to move away from music to concentrate on his other business ventures. Three years later he was back in the recording booth. Meanwhile Cher, the Rolling Stones and Barbara Streisand have been on more Farewell Tours than we care to think of, yet they're all still performing to this day.

It isn't just musicians that are 'retiring' though, as a number of actors have threatened to leave behind their career in favour of endless rounds of golf and Mai Tai's. Alec Baldwin has threatened to retire at various stages in his career, his most recent coming in 2012, followed quickly by a succession of roles. Johnny Depp is the most recent actor to threaten to turn their back on the business, giving himself "10 years" in an interview earlier this year.

Mick Jagger
Despite threats saying otherwise, Mick Jagger and co. are still going today