As the Britney Spears comeback train chugged along in New York this week with a cuteness-loaded photo op at a Bronx public school, her paparazzo ex proclaimed his innocence over reports that he's looking to peddle a purported X-rated video of her.

"There is no sex tape," Adnan Ghalib insists to Star, "and I've never claimed there is one."

Adnan and Brit in Los Angeles earlier this year (©X17Agency.com)

Ghalib was quoted as telling Heat magazine that he was in possession of a video, which was supposedly shot when he accompanied a just-out-of-the-psych-ward, pink-wig-wearing Brit on a quick trip to Mexico, but wouldn't talk money unless there was a "locked-in deal."

"I'm extremely upset and distressed and I'm taking legal action," the chin strip enthusiast rails to the tab. "This story has caused a lot of hurt to my family and people close to me."

And just in case you didn't understand him the first time, Ghalib adds for good measure, "There is no sex tape. That is the end of the matter."

His denial will likely elicit a collective sigh of relief from Britney's camp, which hit a PR home run on Wednesday with her surprise appearance at John Philip Sousa Middle School.

The popster, looking lovelier than she has in a long, long time in a flattering blue dress, groomed tresses, professionally applied makeup, a bra (no, really!) and a big smile (see pics here), was on hand to make a $10,000 donation to the school's music program, according to People.

The school must have been eager to get the dough, which was reportedly provided by cosmetics giant Elizabeth Arden, the company behind Brit's best-selling fragrances, because it opened up just for her visit (there were no classes because of Rosh Hashanah).

Spears was welcomed with a number by the school's band, the Sousatones, and a group of girls later performed "I Am Woman," which is not to be confused with her less-feminist-themed new ditty, "Womanizer."

"It was amazing," she enthused of the kids' musical talents. "I was very impressed."

Britney also spent some time signing autographs and posing for photos with the students as a contingent of police officers stood by, presumably keeping an eye on both sides of the meet-and-greet.

OK! says she made her exit in the usual understated celebrity way: a motorcade of SUVs and a police escort.

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