Britney Spears’ recent DUI arrest has now sparked a fresh wave of concern after newly surfaced details revealed the person she contacted during the roadside ordeal was not a family member or longtime manager, but her former bodyguard Thomas Bunbury.
As questions grow about the nature of their relationship, insiders are also revisiting troubling allegations tied to Bunbury’s past. Behind the scenes, those close to the pop star reportedly remain uneasy about the people Spears continues allowing into her inner circle following years of public scrutiny and personal struggles.
Britney Spears reportedly turned to former bodyguard Thomas Bunbury during one of her most stressful recent moments.
According to dashcam footage obtained by the Daily Mail from the singer’s March 4 DUI arrest, she appeared visibly shaken while speaking with police on the side of the road.
Instead of calling a relative or one of her longtime professional contacts, Spears phoned Bunbury.
“Thomas?” Spears could reportedly be heard saying before quietly explaining that police were accusing her of drinking, which she denied.
An insider later claimed Spears leaned on Bunbury heavily during the ordeal. The source said the pair have remained close friends despite Bunbury no longer officially working for the singer.
Spears’ recent legal trouble eventually ended with the pop star pleading guilty earlier this month. She avoided jail time after receiving 12 months’ probation, a day in jail already served, and an order to complete a three-month alcohol and drug education program.
The Ventura County Superior Court also fined Spears $721 while ordering her to see a psychologist weekly and a psychiatrist twice each month.
Spears’ Friendship With Bunbury Sparked Controversy
Britney Spears and Bunbury’s friendship has already generated controversy earlier this year.
In March, TMZ reported that Spears allegedly sent Bunbury a cease-and-desist letter accusing him of accessing her devices and iCloud accounts without permission.
The report claimed Spears became upset after losing access to some of her accounts and demanded confirmation that Bunbury had not copied her files.
However, a source close to the situation strongly denied the allegations while speaking to the Daily Mail.
“The hacking allegations are ‘categorically false and completely without factual or legal merit,’” the insider said, adding, “There was never any unauthorized access, hacking, or unlawful conduct on his part whatsoever.”
The source added that if authorities had found any credible evidence, legal action would have followed.
Another insider, however, insisted the “Toxic” singer’s team did have concerns about Bunbury and the security staff who were dismissed around January.
That source claimed there was evidence Bunbury accessed Spears’ accounts, although they noted Spears herself may have willingly shared passwords because she is not “tech-savvy.”
The insider also explained why no criminal charges were pursued. “It’s a ‘complicated’ situation,” the source claimed, because Spears still wants Bunbury in her life.
Britney Spears’ Inner Circle Faces New Concerns Over Thomas Bunbury’s Past
Questions surrounding Bunbury reportedly extend beyond the alleged account access claims.
Court records obtained by the Daily Mail revealed Bunbury’s ex-wife, Nancy, previously accused him of domestic violence and substance abuse during their divorce proceedings in 2019.
Nancy alleged that Bunbury once threw her “against our kitchen cabinet, put his hands around my neck and shook me.”
She also claimed he abused oxycodone and rarely attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings despite allegedly needing treatment.
In another filing, Nancy accused him of holding her down during an argument. “Thomas grabbed me and held me down by my wrists on the floor. The next day, my wrists were sore and bruised,” she alleged.
Nancy also claimed Bunbury once “threatened to pee on our apartment floor when he was angry.”
“Moreover, he has slapped me in the face, he has smashed my face into the floor of our apartment, and he has pushed me down to the ground on several occasions,” she further alleged.
Bunbury denied every accusation in court, claiming Nancy filed the restraining order request to gain leverage during divorce proceedings.
He also alleged she became “violent” toward him at times. Ultimately, Nancy received a continuance on the restraining order request before the marriage officially ended later that year.
Spears Continued Seeing Bunbury After Arrest
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Bunbury reportedly remains part of Britney Spears’ support system. According to one insider, he spent time with Spears shortly after her release from police custody in March.
The source claimed the pair simply sat together at Spears’ home in a “calm and supportive environment.” Weeks later, they reportedly reunited again shortly before Spears entered rehab in April.
“They had a friendly get-together at his new place,” the insider told the Daily Mail, adding, “Those moments reflected the genuine and personal nature of their friendship beyond the speculation and headlines.”
Sources close to the situation insist their relationship does not appear romantic.
Instead, Bunbury reportedly cares for Spears “deeply” both “as a person and a friend.” The insider added that Spears values “genuine human connection” and enjoys spending time with people she trusts.
“Despite everything she has endured publicly and privately, she remains someone with immense heart and humanity,” the source said.
Britney Spears’ Team Reportedly Worries About Her ‘Checkered Past’ Friendships
While Spears’ team reportedly does not want to control her personal life, insiders have admitted there are still concerns about some people surrounding the singer.
One source explained that those closest to Spears are hesitant to interfere because of her long conservatorship history.
“Britney is a grown woman. She’s allowed to have friends and hang out with whoever she wants,” the insider said. Still, the source claimed Spears has been encouraged to distance herself from individuals with troubled backgrounds.
“If she’s being safe and this guy is not taking advantage of her, the team encourages Britney to have friendships and have a support system but they are always concerned [about] somebody who has a checkered past,” the insider explained.
The source also pointed to what they described as one of Spears’ biggest strengths and weaknesses. “She always sees the good in people,” they shared.
The insider additionally noted this is not the first time Spears has reportedly become close to someone with a controversial history, referencing her past on-and-off relationship with former maintenance worker Paul Richard Soliz, who also reportedly had a criminal record.