Mel B says Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Mel C cried at news of her engagement to Rory McPhee | Ents & Arts News

Mel B has revealed that fellow Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Mel C had “never liked any of her boyfriends” but cried with joy when she told them about her engagement to hairdresser Rory McPhee.

The 47-year-old singer, whose full name is Melanie Brown, will tie the knot for the third time after confirming her engagement to McPhee last month.

Speaking to Hello! magazine about the proposal, Mel B said: “For the first time in my life, I’m engaged to a beautiful, honest person who makes me feel protected, nurtured and so loved, and I want to savour that.”

She said her bandmates have given McPhee their seal of approval, saying: “Emma (Bunton) cried, so did Mel C.

“All of them were delighted for us and said, ‘We love Rory, he’s amazing’ and they’ve all sent congratulations cards.

“I do care about their opinion and it’s really special to me that they like Rory so much, because they’ve never liked any of my boyfriends and they’ve been quite clear about that.

“They were actually pushing me towards Rory for ages before the two of us became romantic, but I’d say to them, ‘It’s not like that; he’s just a really good friend who makes me feel safe’.”

The couple have known each other for more than two decades, after Mel B met McPhee through her cousin, the actor Christian Cooke, who has been good friends with McPhee since school.

Mel B filed for divorce from ex-husband Stephen Belafonte in 2017.

They have a daughter, Madison Brown Belafonte. Mel B also has two daughters, Phoenix Chi Gulzar and Angel Iris Murphy Brown, from two previous relationships.

McPhee proposed at Cliveden House in Berkshire and Scary Spice gave details of the engagement ring, saying: “He designed it all by himself, then kept it hidden in his sock drawer for three months.

“I still can’t believe he managed to hold a secret like that in for so long.”

Saying how McPhee got down on one knee, Mel B said: “We went for a walk around the grounds with the dogs before dinner and on the way back, Rory suddenly said, ‘I’m going to go back to the room and put the fire on’.

“I didn’t think anything of it, but I did get this funny feeling in my stomach.

“Then, as I walked through the door, he got down on one knee.”

McPhee said: “I was so nervous, my lips were trembling.

“I’d spent ages writing down all these things I wanted to say, but when it came to it, I just babbled.”

Four of the Spice Girls were reunited at the weekend for Geri Halliwell’s 50th birthday.

Victoria Beckham shared photos on Instagram showing her with Bunton, Mel C and Halliwell and their partners.

Mel B did not appear to be present at the party.