Mel B’s estranged husband flew into ‘fit of rage’ over flirty TV antics

Mel B’s estranged husband Stephen Belafonte allegedly "flew into a fit of rage" over her flirty games with her then-co-judge Cheryl on ‘The X Factor’ in 2014.

The 41-year-old singer worked alongside the former Girls Aloud star, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh on the singing competition three years ago and, although most could see the pair had a playful friendship, her ex-lover was reportedly fuming when he saw the frizzy-haired babe grab the brunette beauty’s bottom live on stage.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Mel was taken with Cheryl but it was harmless fun. She’d always come into her dressing room in hardly any clothes while holding her co-star’s hand and grabbing her bum.

"Once she even did it on the stage. It was nothing more than a a cheeky game among good friends but Stephen couldn’t stand it and went ballistic.

"He liked to be in total control of everything. He was deeply uncomfortable with Mel flirting with Cheryl because it didn’t involve him."

The crew became increasingly concerned about the 41-year-old film producer’s alleged outrageous behaviour backstage and eventually banned him from the studio.

An insider explained to the publication: "Everyone knew about Stephen’s rage and couldn’t understand why something as innocent as this sparked it.

"It was the final straw for him. He was never popular because he behaved extremely unpleasantly. He was very demanding. Eventually he went too far."

The shocking revelation comes just days after the former Spice Girl was granted a restraining order against her ex-partner after she claimed in court documents he’d beat her, got their nanny pregnant and forced her to have threesomes.

Mel – who filed for divorce from her ex-beau last month – alleged the abuse started within the first year of their marriage in 2007 and became a reoccurring "pattern" for the then-couple with Stephen allegedly choosing to "beat her down to let her know he was in charge" whenever she saw a spike in her career.

The starlet – who has five-year-old daughter Madison with Stephen – wasn’t just subject to physical and emotional abuse either, as Stephen also reportedly got their nanny pregnant and suggested "all three of us" live together with the baby.

However, the nanny was later paid a reported $300,000 to have an abortion, the documents claim.

It was previously claimed that the estranged couple had an "open and loose relationship" but Mel states that Stephen actually forced her to have "intercourse with him and random women."

He then secretly filmed the steamy trysts and allegedly threatened to release the sex tapes if she didn’t co-operate.

Mel has claimed she had previously tried to leave Stephen but he "threatened me with violence and threatened to destroy my life in every possible way … destroy my career and take my kids from me."

Stephen has denied all the allegations against him and says he has been left "distraught" by her claims and the "truth will come out" when he stands in court.

His lawyers said in a statement: "What matters most to Mr. Belafonte is the safety and well-being of his daughters and step-daughters. It’s a shame that Ms. Brown elected not to proceed in a respectful and amicable fashion in this very private matter.

"In due course, Mr. Belafonte will be filing his response to the outrageous and unfounded allegations made by Ms. Brown, which allegations he vehemently denies. When the Court determines the truth, it will become clear that this entire charade was nothing more than a smear campaign intended to cover up Ms. Brown’s own conduct during the marriage in light of her current involvement with a family television show, and in an effort to unfairly gain leverage both financially and with respect to custody of the children. When the degree to which Ms. Brown has gone to create a false depiction of her marriage to Mr. Belafonte is uncovered, real victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse will be understandably offended, angry and upset. Mr. Belafonte is confident that the truth will come out when he has his day in court at which time he looks forward to being reunited with his children. In the meantime, Mr. Belafonte requests that he and his children be given the space they deserve during this challenging time."

As well as Madison with Stephen, Mel also has Phoenix, 18, with her first husband Jimmy Gulzar and 10-year-old daughter Angel with Eddie Murphy.