Mel B’s divorce from Stephen Belafonte has been one of the most enduring sagas of the past few months, with a seemingly endless line of people chipping in with accusations and allegations.
And the latest person to get involved is none other than Mel’s sometime X Factor co-judge Louis Walsh.
Thankfully for Mel, Louis didn’t dish any dirt on the former Spice Girl (she’s had enough of that to last a lifetime).
In fact, he had only kind words to say – or at least we think he was being kind…
Revealing that Mel, 42, is doing “great”, Louis told The Mirror: “She’s not called Scary Spice for nothing!”
“We’ve all been in touch with her,” continued the 64-year-old Irishman during auditions for the singing show’s forthcoming series.
“Everybody loves her because her life is an open book. There are no secrets with Mel. She tells it like it is and she’s not perfect.”
Read more: Mel B has blown ALL of her Spice Girls earnings, court reports reveal…
Mel – real name Melanie Brown – filed for divorce in March after ten years of marriage.
She claimed she had been subjected to “emotional and physical abuse” by film producer Belafonte, 42.
In 2014, the singer pulled out of the first night of The X Factor final, and later stated in court papers that Belafonte had locked her in a bathroom after she swallowed a whole bottle of aspirin, telling her to “die”.
But while it’s been a difficult few months for the Wannabe singer, Louis seemed full of beans as he chatted about the new series of The X Factor, and promised big changes as the show tries to claw back viewers.
Rumours abound that Cheryl could be making a brief comeback as a guest of Simon Cowell at the ‘judges’ houses’ stage.
But Louis told The Mirror that the very fabric of the programme is set for an overhaul.
Read more: Simon Cowell is bringing back Sinitta to save The X Factor
“We’re looking for artists, we’re not looking for karaoke,” he explained. “The contestants are playing guitars and playing piano. We’re looking for talent.
“The bar is much higher this year than it’s ever been.”