Mel B split 'is a publicity stunt'

Mel B's split from her film producer husband is nothing more than a publicity stunt, a source has claimed.

According to Now, Stephen Belafonte announced that his marriage to the former Spice Girl had come to an end in an alleged attempt to draw attention to her upcoming reality show It's A Scary World.

"The split was nothing but a sham devised to get Mel and Stephen in the headlines to create hype for the series," an insider said.

"Mel masterminded the whole thing. Everyone was shocked when they saw that story, especially as it was supposed to have come directly from Stephen. It left friends with raised eyebrows.

"Mel wants this show to be a success. She'll do whatever it takes to keep herself in the spotlight - and now everyone knows about the series."

The source also assured the magazine that the couple's marriage was as strong as ever, despite their tendency to row.

"Mel and Stephen do fight a lot - that's nothing new. They're a perfect match because they have the same unconventional philosophies about marriage and commitment. They're both short- tempered and love drama."

The spouses were recently spotted out together mere days after expressing their intention to seperate, while the 35-year-old singer further confused matters by writing on Twitter that she and Belafonte "just had the best couples' massage ever. We both are oily lavender messes right now".