Former Spice Girl and current judge on the U.K.’s The X Factor, Melanie Brown, 39, caused great concern by fans when she appeared injured and bruised on Sunday night’s show.
Mel B. was rushed to the hospital on Thursday December 11 causing her to miss Saturday’s episode of The X Factor, however when she did return on Sunday her injuries were evident and many quickly assumed she had been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her husband Stephen Belafonte.
The speculation was furthered by not only the obvious bruises and scratches on her face but by a noticeably absent wedding ring on her hand.
After Twitter was barraged with fans claiming Mel B. had been a victim of physical abuse by Belafonte after she appeared on Sunday’s episode, he took to Twitter the next day to deny the rumors.
“I don’t usually respond to Twitter msgs but I will respond to comments of hitting my wife which I think are quite disgusting un true!,” he wrote.
A few minutes later he added, “Mel was very ill a bunch of doctors helped her get better if fans can’t just relax B4 being negative they r not real fans of @OfficialMelB.”
Mel has not addressed her bruised appearance, her visit to the hospital or the rumors of domestic violence and on the show when asked if she was feeling better, she replied, “Yes-ish. I really missed being here, but thanks to all the doctors and nurses who took care of me and got me here tonight.”
Initial reports stated Mel B. was taken to the hospital due to severe stomach pain but neither facial bruises or scratches can be explained by an illness, making many still believe Belafonte abused her, regardless of his denials.
Brown and film producer Belafonte have been married since 2007 and have one daughter together. Brown is a mother to two other children from previous relationships and Belafonte has one daughter of his own from a previous relationship.
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