Mel B strikes deal to settle bitter divorce

MEL B has reportedly struck a deal with her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte to settle their acrimonious divorce. Website TMZ claims that the former Spice Girl, 42, and the film producer, also 42, have come to an agreement over custody of their six-year-old daughter Madison and the property they once shared, although they are still waiting for a judge to finalise proceedings. Under the said terms he must apparently destroy any compromising pictures and videos of Mel but she will pay him maintenance for the next three years, although the exact monetary amount will remain confidential.

The site also reports they will work out a schedule for sharing custody of Madison, although neither of them will pay child support.

The America’s Got Talent judge filed for divorce in March just before their 10th anniversary.

Previously she obtained a restraining order against Stephen, claiming she had been subjected to years of physical and mental abuse and that he’d forced her into having sexual encounters with other women. Their former nanny Lorraine Gilles told courts she had sex with the couple and Mel alleged that Lorraine and Stephen had conspired to use sex tapes against her. However the Leeds born singer – who also has 18-year-old daughter Phoenix Chi by first husband, dancer Jimmy Gulzar, and daughter Angel, 10, with actor Eddie Murphy – withdrew her allegations of domestic abuse.

Stephen will still have access to the family home in LA to retrieve personal items such as clothes, artwork and photos. The house will then be sold with the proceeds divided between them.