Spice Girl’s fury as ex’s abuse claim denial is read out on TV

MEL B was furious with Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid yesterday, after she read out her ex-husband’s denial of claims that he hit her.

The Spice Girl, right, told Susanna and her co-host Piers Morgan broadcasting Stephen Belafonte’s response to her domestic violence claims “shouldn’t be allowed”.

The 43-year-old divorced film producer Belafonte, also 43, last year after 10 years of marriage.

She was on the ITV show to talk about her new autobiography, Brutally Honest, but after the interview, Susanna said: “We have to read a right of reply. Mr Belafonte has told us there are new litigation plans and he will be answering the allegations in full, which he denies.” Off-camera, Mel said: “Oh God. Don’t want to hear that. You shouldn’t do the right of reply. He shouldn’t have a platform to do that.” Piers said Mel would have the opportunity to speak out on anything her ex-husband had said. But Mel replied: “No! Why would I? Why would I get into a spat like that?” Piers added: “Unfortunately we had to do that, whether we wanted to or not. And I didn’t want to. I’m with you on this. Team Mel. Team Scary.”

Mel’s book also blames Belafonte, the father of her daughter Madison, seven, for frittering away her £80million fortune and talks about her suicide attempt. He denies all of her claims. Mel added said: “I am probably still healing and learning from that whole entire relationship.

“Writing the book was cathartic and therapeutic... It is a chapter in my life that has been put to rest.

“There was domestic violence, mental abuse, control, torture.

“I am still bruised and damaged. I am damaged goods, in a nice way. I like male company, but not like that right now.”