Mel Brown and Eddie Murphy are planning to marry as their unlikely romance blossoms, according to a report.

Rumours have surrounded the ex-Spice Girl from Leeds and Hollywood star Murphy since they met earlier this year, but it now appears it is more serious than thought.

They reportedly spent much time together over the summer and Brown and her family joined Murphy and his on holiday in Hawaii, treating it as a trial marriage.

"There was a lot of togetherness between the families," a source told the Mail on Sunday. "She knows this is the real thing and it is really important to her that all the kids get along and that Eddie's children like her."

"The Hawaii trip worked out perfectly," the friend continued. "Eddie's five kids all love Mel and Phoenix and Mel and Phoenix think they're fantastic. They were trying to organise a trip to Disneyland, but it leaked out and they were worried about all the media attention.

"She's the happiest I've ever seen her. Eddie makes her laugh and she makes him laugh too. That's not a bad start for a marriage."