Health

Former Spice Girl Mel B loses her father to cancer

The singer shared the heartbreaking news with a touching post on social media.
Mel B

Taking to Instagram, Mel B confirmed her father, Martin Brown, had passed away after a five-year battle with cancer.

He was 63.

Alongside a touching black and white photo of Mel and her sister holding their father’s hands, the former Spice Girl penned: “It is with great sadness after a 5yr battle to multiple myeloma cancer our loving father Martin Brown passed away age 63 peacefully yesterday.”

“Both of us his children were by his side and would like to say thank you to St Gemma’s and all the doctors and nurses for there amazing care and support over the years.

Please respect our privacy and let us as a united family grieve.”

“With love and respect. Melanie and Danielle Brown x Be Free Dad,” the poignant post concluded.

Myeloma is a form of cancer that forms from plasma cells in the bone marrow.

It also appears the 41-year-old has made amends with her younger sister, with the pair having a complex relationship and a long-standing feud.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNVup0Ij0At/?taken-by=officialmelb&hl=en

Earlier in the year, Danielle shut down rumours that she and Mel had buried the hatchet.

“Just 2 put the record strait! Ive Not seen my sister for 8 years,there is no family reunion planned,it is what it is #dontbelivewhatyouread,” she explained on Twitter.

Mel’s family rift first arose in 2007 after her mum, Andrea Brown, and sister reportedly disapproved of her marrying her now husband, producer Stephen Belafonte.

Last year, the mother-of-three told new! magazine that she had been spending time with her estranged family members.

“She came down yesterday, saw the kids and watched the show [Lip Sync Battle UK, which Mel starred on]. Then we hung out and went for dinner with the kids. Family is family. There’s no point talking about that,” she told the publication of her mum.

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