Britney Spears thinks 'The X Factor' has been "really good" for her.

The 30-year-old singer has joined the judging panel of the show alongside Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid and is enjoying using her pop experience to help the aspiring contestants.

She said: "I think this show has been really good for me to do because I've been able to help this talent come in and achieve their dream.

"I can relate to them on a central level because I started out at such a young age.

"I know the foundation and the depth of what you go through into achieving your dream and doing this. So being able to do this has been, if anything, a great experience for me.

"I really feel like being able to be on a show, where you can give back and help people achieve their dream, is just really interesting to me. It's really different from anything I've ever done."

Britney - who has been described as "mean" by show chief Simon - insists her criticisms of the contestants are a result of her being a "very honest" person.

She told Britain's OK! magazine: "It's kind of just based on who I am and my personality in everyday life. I'm just a very honest person."