Britney Spears fans have been left stunned after apparently working out who her 2004 hit "Toxic" was actually written about, and the answer is far from what anyone expected.
The unlikely inspiration
According to accounts shared online, the song is believed to be about British TV star Dr Noel Fitzpatrick, better known as Channel 4's Supervet. Fitzpatrick had reportedly been dating Cathy Dennis, one of the song's co-writers, in the early 2000s, with the pair splitting around 2003. The two are said to have met after Dennis brought her Labrador, Charlie, to Fitzpatrick's veterinary practice for treatment.
"Toxic" was written around the time the couple split, and was originally offered to Kylie Minogue, who turned it down, before eventually being recorded by Spears.
How Fitzpatrick has responded
When previously asked about the claims on This Morning, Fitzpatrick addressed the rumour with a joke, saying: "You may have to ask Kylie Minogue whether 'I Can't Get You Out Of My Head' is written about me," neither confirming nor denying the connection directly.
How fans reacted
The revelation sparked a wave of disbelief online, with fans expressing shock that a song as iconic as "Toxic" could be tied to a low-key TV vet rather than a more obvious celebrity figure. One person joked the news had "changed the trajectory of everything," while others said they needed time to process it.
Who Noel Fitzpatrick is
Beyond the song speculation, Fitzpatrick runs a veterinary practice in Surrey specialising in neurosurgery, oncology, and orthopaedics, which served as the inspiration for both The Supervet and The Bionic Vet television series.
