**Sunday 28th: **Mel B has finally broken her silence amid rumours her marriage to Stephen Belafonte is on the rocks. The 'X Factor' judge, who sparked concern when she appeared on the British TV series with scratches and bruises on her body after being hospitalised for a mystery illness earlier this month, has insisted the film producer "would never lay a hand" on her.
After reuniting with him in Los Angeles for Christmas, the 39-year-old star Instagrammed a photo of them cuddling at an event with the caption: "This is for my fans havin problems with my Twitter will be back soon! I'm very good was very polly but much better now and for the record my hubby never would lay a hand on me sorry took so long but any response fuels rumors #lovemyfamily #lovemyfans (sic)".
The message comes just days after the Spice Girls star was spotted leaving a sushi restaurant in Tarzana, California hand-in-hand with him. A source previously claimed the British star was preparing to file for divorce after a string of arguments, saying: "At the moment she is discussing divorce. "She knows this isn't the easiest option. It's going to be tough. But she knows her marriage is over."
Thursday 18th: Mel B's husband speaks out
For the first time since he left the country in the wake of claims he hit his wife, Stephen Belafonte has denied the abuse claims and said he has spoken with his wife. Speaking to the The Sun, Stephen, 39, suggested that the reason Mel wasn't wearing her wedding ring on Sunday night's X Factor could have been because her hand was swollen. He said: 'Listen people do whatever they do. Maybe her hands were swollen and she couldn't fit the ring on becuase she's been in hospital?'
Stephen also said that he would do anything for his wife. He added: 'I love my wife. I care about my wife. I'd take a bullet for her.' And speaking the MailOnline Stephen addressed the claims he had physically abused the former Spice Girl. He said: 'Who accused me of it, did she accuse me of it, the police, the hospital, who accused me of it? I thought when you beat someone up the police or the hospital or the person you beat up says it.'
Mel B has yet to comment on the allegations.
Mel B opened up about her relationship with Stephen on Grazia's Christmas shoot [Nick Haddow]
In an exclusive interview with Mel which can be found inGrazia's Christmas issue, the former Spice Girl revealed that she had fought with her husband shortly before the shoot. After turning up three hours late Mel blamed it on an argument with Stephen and said: 'I walked in pied off because I had a big row with my husband about stupid stuff. Sometimes he pies me off like no other, but he gets me.'
She also revealed that she is fighter and her past experiences have helped her get where she is today. She said: 'I am a fighter, I'm proud of what I've achieved, not just in my career but as a woman. I've been through many ups and downs and I've come out of it a stronger person.'
Mel said her experiences as a single parent toughened her resolve and made her understand what's most important to her. The 'X Factor' judge raised her 15-year-old daughter Phoenix alone after her first marriage to Jimmy Gulzar ended in 2000, but she insists it was a positive experience.
Mel - who is also mother to Angel, seven, from her romance with Eddie Murphy, and three-year-old Madison, her child with Stephen - said: 'I think being a single parent for six years with Phoenix, and living in LA by myself made me much stronger. It made me realise what life is about. It's not just about you, it's about your children and having the right influences around them.'
Wednesday 17th: Stephen Belafonte leaves the country
Mel B's husband is said to have left the country following a series of explosive rows with his wife, it has been reported. The American producer is believed to have jetted back to Los Angeles on Sunday - before Mel made a dramatic return to the X Factor final.
A source told The Sun newspaper: 'The fact that he left the country before she'd even gone back on X Factor is another sign of just how bad things have become between them. 'But Stephen is playing hard to get and hoping that by leaving the country Mel will give in and agree to have him back.'
It's thought Stephen was last seen on Sunday morning with Mel's daughters Phoenix Chi, 15, Angel, seven, and their daughter three-year-old Madison.
Tuesday 16th: Has Mel B walked out on her husband?
Mel B has allegedly walked out on her husband of seven years Stephen Belafonte, according to reports. The Sun newspaper claims that the former Spice Girl has left the home she has been sharing with the producer in London following a string of arguments. According to the paper Mel’s friends and family are urging her to split from Stephen for good. Mel has yet to comment on the reports.
Monday 15th: Mel B's husband responds to those rumours
Stephen Belafonte has hit back at abuse claims in two Twitter posts today. The film director took to the social media site to address the allegations, sparked by Mel B's 'bruised' appearance on Sunday night's X Factor, and wrote:
'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!' (sic)
'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.'(sic)
The former Spice Girl has remained silent on the allegations.
Sunday 14th: Mel makes a dramatic return
Mel appeared on the X Factor on Sunday night but within minutes of the show starting fear for her health were rife on Twitter. Fans took to the social media site to speculate over 'bruises' and 'scratches' on her face and body and wondered why Mel wasn't wearing her wedding ring.
One Twitter user wrote: 'Mel B's got a well iffy bruise on her cheek, scratches on the top of her arms and no wedding ring.... #xfactor.'
Another posted: '****Not one to spread rumors but Mel B doesn't have a wedding ring and is sporting a nice bruise on her cheek #justsaying.'
Mel's family - her mother and her sister Danielle - also tweeted their concern with Mel's mum posting: 'Mothers worse nightmare to hear ur daughters seriously ill in hospital and not know where to go!!' (sic)
Mel is believed to have been estranged from her mother and sister since she wed Stephen in 2008.
Although Mel, who was dressed in a Giles couture dress from a Grazia shoot, she didn't address the reason she was hospitalised from Thursday evening she did thank medical staff who help in her recovery.
She said: 'I really missed being here but thanks to all the doctors and nurses who took care of me and got me here tonight.'
Saturday 13th: Tulisa fills Mel's shoes
Mel was absent from the X Factor show this evening due to her sudden illness. Tulisa Contostavlos was drafted in as a last minute replacement.
Thursday 11th: Mel B in hospital
The judge was rushed to hospital after suffering from stomach pains.
***Pick upa copy of Grazia magazineon sale now to hear all from Mel B in our exclusive interview