LOS ANGELES   -   Justin Timberlake abruptly ended romance with Britney Spears via text message, says music director Saturday.

Chris Applebaum turned to his Instagram to share a throwback photo with Spears, touching upon their collaboration Overprotected.  “This was taken on the 2nd shoot day for her ‘Overprotected’ video,” he began.

“It was a planned 24 hours shoot day and we had one crew clock out after 12 hrs & a new one clock in.  “At some point during the 2nd shift Brit disappeared and I went to her trailer to fetch her…only to discover her BF Justin had just broken up with her via text message.”

Chris then states: “Let me recommend to any who reads this: don’t break up via text!” He continued: “We sat on the floor of her trailer for a minute, talked it out, and then rallied.