Out of all of Britney Spears’ iconic singles, Toxic is easily one of her most recognisable.
The 2003 bop came directly from her fourth studio album, In the Zone, and was instrumental in firing the American star into an even bigger state of superstardom.
However, it has now been suggested that Toxic was actually written about one of Channel 4’s most beloved veterinarians.
The Sun reports that newsletter Pop B**ch explained Britney’s writer, Cathy Dennis, was actually involved with Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick.
They wrote: “The man who inspired the Britney Spears track Toxic was someone that the song’s co-writer Cathy Dennis had been dating in the early 2000s, who broke up with her in 2003: Noel Fitzpatrick.”
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The gossip newsletter added: “It’s unlikely you’d have known who he was at the time (unless you had a sick spaniel) but he’s better known to most people nowadays as Channel 4’s Supervet!”
Breakups are hard, but whoever Toxic is based on must have kick-started a truly painful split if the lyrics are anything to go by.
Fans found this tidbit hilarious, with one commenting: “Wow who knew Noel Fitzpatrick was toxic?”
Another agreed: “Here’s your reminder that Cathy Dennis f***ed supervet and then wrote Toxic about him.”
Although Toxic became synonymous with Britney’s 2003 era, it was not originally written for her.
Writers Cathy, Henrik Jonback, Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg penned the track for Janet Jackson.
However, it was then offered to Kylie Minogue, who turned down the track.
Eventually, the song came across Britney’s desk, who recorded it shortly thereafter.
Upon the single’s release in 2004, Toxic hit number one in 15 countries around the world.
It also went multi-platinum, selling more than three million copies in the process.
