Repetitive Record Syndrome

Shop workers are being driven to distraction by in-store music, with Britney Spears heading the list of Most Annoying Singer. A third of shop staff had to endure the same album being played up to 20 times a week, according to a survey of 1,400 employees. Almost half of those polled by recruitment website retailchoice.com said they had received complaints from customers about maddening music blaring through a shop. Workers in fashion and shoe shops suffered most from "repetitive record syndrome", having to listen to the same songs being played over and over again.

Christmas was the most testing time for the ears of retail workers, with Jingle Bells topping the list of the most hated seasonal songs. This was followed by Slade's Merry Christmas Everyone and White Christmas by Bing Crosby.

The top 10 most played - and most annoying - singers were:

:: Britney Spears:: Usher:: Kylie Minogue:: 50 Cent:: Robbie Williams

:: Akon:: Beyonce:: Blue:: Justin Timberlake:: Michael Jackson