Mel B files for divorce from husband of 10 years Stephen Belafonte

Former Spice Girl Mel B has reportedly filed for divorce from husband Stephen Belafonte.

The Daily Mail reports that the 41-year-old submitted the paperwork for the split earlier this week, citing 'irreconcilable differences' between herself and her husband of 10 years.

Mel, who has three children, requested joint custody of the pair's five-year-old daughter Madison. She is also mum to Phoenix Chi, with her first husband Jimmy Gulzar, and Angel Iris, from her relationship with comedian Eddie Murphy, whilst Stephen has another daughter, Giselle, from an earlier marriage.

She is said to have engaged the services of top Hollywood lawyer Susan Wiesner, who has worked with various celebrity couples in the past.

Mel and Stephen have been married for ten years

Mel and Stephen tied the knot in secret at the Special Memory Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas in June 2007, but had been friends for many years previously before becoming romantically involved.

Mel told The Daily Telegraph Australia in 2013: 'Stephen and I never had a romantic relationship in all those years, so it was quite a shock when it happened. One night, we'd been out and he just kissed me. I thought, what was that?'

Stephen added to the title: 'I'd never connected with someone on so many levels and, after a while, it just lined up. Knowing each other so intimately already meant all our cards were on the table. She knew all my crazy s**t, and I had her full story. That's been an amazing base for us. I've never had that before.'

Mel pictured with daughters Angel Iris and Madison in October 2016

The couple's only child together, Madison, was born in September 2011, when an overjoyed Mel announced her birth to fans on Twitter.

'Finally our baby arrives,Stephen nearly passed out,Phoenix screamed, I laughed so hard the baby popped out!!!' she exclaimed at the time. 'She is just sooo amazing!!'

The couple even gave Mel's eldest Phoenix the opportunity to name their new arrival, with the singer adding: 'My daughter Phoenix wants to pick her sisters baby name,so fingers crossed she picks a good one!!'