Britney Spears was offered the chance to record Umbrella, before Rihanna made it a number one hit - but the pop princess turned it down. American music producer Tricky Stewart - who created the track - has confessed Spears was given first option on the song.

He made the revelation to British singer/songwriter Taio Cruz. Cruz says, "I was working with Tricky in his studio the day he finished Umbrella. As soon as I heard it I said, 'That is a smash, I have to have it,' but he told me it was on hold for Britney. He waited but Britney's people never called him back."

Rihanna turned the song into a huge hit, holding the number one spot in the U.K. chart for a staggering 10 weeks.

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)