Spice Girl Mel B's husband fled UK after she walked out on him

Singer Mel B's husband has reportedly fled the UK.

Stephen Belafonte, whose seven-year marriage to the 'X Factor' judge, 39, is said to be on "life support" following a string of explosive arguments, has jetted back to their home in Los Angeles after she told him their relationship is "over" and refused to return to their apartment in West London.

A source close to the former Spice Girl, who is still recovering after being hospitalised with crippling stomach pains last Thursday (11.12.14), said: "Mel is feeling strong about her decision at the moment, but it's obviously a very difficult time.

"She was at her lowest point in a long time and it's very telling that he wasn't there for her."

Stephen is said to have left the UK on Sunday afternoon (14.12.14), hours before Mel returned to the set of the ITV reality show, but her friends fear they could still reunite.

The insider told the UK's 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.

"They have been in bad places before but he always ends up taking the control. This time all her friends hope that won't happen."

The film producer, 39, was last spotted walking to the shops with Mel's daughters Phoenix Chi, 15, Angel, seven, and Madison, three, in London on Sunday morning.

Mel B has revealed she often has a "big row" with her husband Stephen Belafonte which "p***es" her off "like no other".

In an interview conducted before her alleged marriage split, she said: "I walked in p****d off because I had a big row with my husband about stupid stuff. Sometimes he p***es me off like no other but he gets me."

The 39-year-old singer - who has Madison, three with Stephen and Phoenix Chi, 15 and Angel, seven from previous relationships - admits she can be difficult because she has a "massive ego" but she also has a strong sense of self and doesn't expect other people to solve her problems.

She added to Grazia magazine: "I have a massive ego. I always have done, famous or not.

"I don't take life too seriously. I'm not everyone's cup of tea but I'm honest and real. I'm always happy and if I'm not, I fix it immediately.

"I've always believed in myself because how can you love somebody else if you don't love yourself?"

It's not been confirmed whether or not the couple have split permanently but some of the brunette's pals are said to be encouraging her to "take time out" from her husband.

The source added to The Sun newspaper: "Her stress levels are very high and most of her good friends and colleagues were encouraging her to take time out from Stephen.

"That's now what she's doing, but the question is for how long?"

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