Britney Spears' father Jamie simply does not get enough credit.

Sure, he gets a solid $1,500 a week in compensation for making sure his daughter doesn't go off the rails. But after the work he's done for humanity, he's underpaid.

Take a look at Britney Spears pics before her conservatorship - giving Jamie control over her personal, financial and professional affairs - took effect and you'll see why ...

Ouch! Yeah. She was a regular Jessica Simpson for a time there.

But luckily, with a little discipline and cutting back on pork rinds and Starbucks consumption, Britney Spears' body - like her career - is back in a big way.

The photos posted yesterday, in which she's rehearsing for her Circus tour, make it abundantly clear that she is in far better shape. Here's a prime example ...

Thank you, Jamie.