Spice Girl Mel B, 44, had a secret fling with X Factor champion James Arthur, 13 years her junior
SPICE Girl Mel B had a secret fling with X Factor champion James Arthur.
They met when Mel — 13 years older than James — was a judge on America’s Got Talent.
Scary Spice is the second X Factor judge James has dated after his romance with Rita Ora.
A source said: “Mel met James soon after her marriage ended while she was working in LA on America’s Got Talent.
“They were brought together by Simon Cowell who secured James an opportunity to perform on the show.
“James was single at the time and they hit it off instantly. Mel thought James was very handsome and would become the next big British music superstar. James couldn’t believe his luck that a stunning member of the Spice Girls would be interested in him. They had a wild fling and loved spending time together, but it ended respectfully.”
Their chemistry was evident during James’ appearance in the 2017 final.
Viewers commented that Mel had a “major crush” on the singer.
James, 31, and Mel, 44, kept their fling quiet by exchanging no messages on social media.
James does not even follow Mel, the new Celebrity Juice panellist, on Instagram.
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Mel has not had a serious boyfriend since she filed for divorce from Stephen Belafonte in early 2017.
James is currently believed to be in an on/off relationship with his dancer Jessica Grist.
He revealed in his autobiography that he got together with Rita in 201 3.
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