Mel B ‘files for divorce’ from husband Stephen Belafonte after 10 year marriage
The former Spice Girl submitted divorce papers listing the date of separation as December 28 according to People Magazine
MEL B has filed for divorce from husband of almost 10 years Stephen Belafonte, it has been claimed.
first reported news of the split on Monday, alleging it had seen divorce papers filed by the former Spice Girl, who cited 'irreconcilable differences'.
The outlet cited the date of separation in the documents as December 28 and that the 41-year-old had asked for joint legal and physical custody of their five-year-old daughter Madison Brown Belafonte.
The star - aka Scary Spice - also reportedly wants to terminate any spousal support to her 41-year-old husband.
The couple were just months away from celebrating their 10-year wedding anniversary, having tied the knot in Las Vegas in June 2007 after a five month romance.
The news comes just two weeks after Mel was left devastated by the death of her father Martin Brown at the age of 63.
Her dad passed away after a battle with cancer and the singer shared a photo of her and sister Danielle holding hands with their father, revealing they were by his side in his final moments.
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Mel wrote: "It is with great sadness after a 5yr battle to multiple myeloma cancer our loving father Martin Brown passed away age 63 peacefully yesterday.
"Both of us his children were by his side and would like to say thank you to St Gemma's and all the doctors and nurses for there amazing care and support over the years.
"Please respect our privacy and let us as a united family grieve with love and respect.
"Melanie and Danielle Brown x Be Free Dad."
In January, their marriage was rocked by speculation there was trouble in paradise after Stephen was spotted putting his arm around another woman in swanky restaurant STK in Manhattan's Meatpacking District.
Pictures of Stephen from inside the restaurant appeared to show him holding the unknown woman’s hand and putting his arm around his waist.
After their dinner Stephen, who was with three friends, left STK with the brown haired woman at 11pm and they drove away in the same car.
Mel was previously married to dancer Jimmy Gulzar before their split in 2000, and she revealed last year she and her second husband were going to be "together forever".
She said: “My husband is my best friend and we know each other so well that we know what we are getting.
"But there are always rumours we are splitting up.
"I’ve already had one failed marriage so I definitely don’t want to have another one."
As well as their daughter Madison, Mel also has eldest child Phoenix, 18, from her first marriage to Jimmy, as well as Angel, 10, from her relationship with actor Eddie Murphy.
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