‘Be free, Dad…’
Former Spice Girl Mel B and sister Danielle put their long-running feud to rest for a heartbreaking reason
Shared grief seems to have led to peace… but that must seem bittersweet just now
Fans are offering words of comfort to Mel B, 41, after she revealed her dad Martin Brown died of cancer on 4 March.
The ex- Spice Girl, who has daughters Madison, five, with husband Stephen Belafonte; Angel, nine, with ex Eddie Murphy; and Phoenix, 18, with Jimmy Gulzar, shared the news on Instagram.
Alongside a black-andwhite picture of her and sister Danielle holding their dad’s hands she 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.’
The Lip Sync Battle UK host added, ‘Please respect our privacy and let us as a united family grieve. With love and respect. Melanie and Danielle Brown x’
Mel signed off her tribute with three simple words, ‘Be Free Dad.’
Their dad’s passing seems to have brought about one positive – a healing of the almost decade-long rift between Mel and Danielle, 36.
Danielle fell out with Mel in 2008 over her marriage to Stephen Belafonte, 41, who was found guilty in 2003 of battery against his former partner, Nicole Contreras.
Mel cut mum Andrea out of her life for the same reason, though on Mel’s 40th birthday in May 2015 Andrea shared throwback snaps on Twitter, in what looked like a desire to reconcile.
Last month, Danielle rubbished rumours she and Mel had reconciled, tweeting, ‘Just 2 put the record strait [sic]! I’ve not seen my sister for 8 years, there is no family reunion planned, it is what it is.’
Shared grief seems to have led to peace between them – but that must seem bittersweet just now.