Spice Girl Mel B has reportedly gone public with a new romance after dating handsome hairdresser Rory McPhee on and off for two years.
Mel is thought to have met Rory, who is 13 years her junior, through her actor cousin Christian Cooke and apparently made their relationship official when they attended a friend’s wedding as a couple.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Mel and Rory have been friends for years. Sparks flew between them two years ago, but they have upped the ante by going public.
“At the wedding they looked so happy together.”
CHECK OUT six times The Spice Girls gave us life
Six times the Spice Girls gave us life - slider
1 of 18When Geri wore THAT iconic dress
Geri's Union Jack dress has become synonymous with the Spice Girls and girl power in general. The dress came to be at the 1997 BRIT Awards because Geri didn't want to wear the black Gucci dress her stylist had given her...so she glued a Union Jack tea towel to the front of it. She later sold it at auction for £40,000.
2 of 18When they got the royal treatment
The Spice Girls never held back - even when meeting the monarchy. Mel C broke royal protocol by kissing Prince Charles on the cheek when she met him at a Prince's Trust concert in 1997. Meanwhile Geri went in for the kill with a pinch of the bum...
3 of 18AND when they got the royals fangirling
In the words of Regina George's mum 'I'm not a regular mom, I'm a cool mom'. If this photo isn't proof that Fergie is the COOLEST mum, then we don't know what is. Princess Eugenie and Beatrice look beyond thrilled to meet their idols.
4 of 18When Nelson Mandela admitted to being their biggest fan
The political icon famously said, "These are my heroes. This is one of the greatest moments in my life", when he met the Spice Girls in November 1997.
5 of 18And Adele too for that matter...
When the Spice Girls announced their reunion tour, Adele posted a throwback on Instagram, captioned 'HA! This is how I feel right now! I AM READY'. We feel ya, Adele.
6 of 18When they made a film
Released in December 1997, Spiceworld: The Movie, is arguably the film of our generation. So it's no surprise that names such as Roger Moore, Stephen Fry, Elton John, Jennifer Saunders and Richard E. Grant all wanted to get involved.
7 of 18When they finally reunited
In 2008, the Spice Girls gave us EXACTLY what we'd been dreaming of since they split in 1998 - when they announced their reunion tour. The girls even brought their babies on stage. Verdict: definitely worth the wait.
8 of 18When they showed us the true meaning of "Sporty" Spice
The Spice Girls were undoubtedly the main event at the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony in London. When they popped out of their black cabs, it's fair to say that it was the best surprise we've ever had.
9 of 18When they proved they were just like the rest of us
We didn't think it was possible to fall even more in love with the Spice Girls until we found out VB isn't so POSH after all - besides, who doesn't take part in a last minute TESCO dash at Christmas?
10 of 18When Mel B dressed as the Beckhams for Halloween 2018
Well, this one is a little awkward to say the least... but we can't help but laugh at Mel B's cheeky humour. Scary Spice dressed as Victoria Beckham for Halloween 2018. OUCH.
11 of 18When V.B showed HER funny side
We love Victoria Beckham - especially when she showed her hilarious sense of humour in this tongue-and-cheek video for VOGUE. Posh spice wasn't afraid to make fun out of herself. Watch the whole video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7uZPofdsOY
12 of 18AND when she showed her humour AND flexibility
Don't mind V.B, just adopting a casual pose whilst she reads through emails on her lush sofa... seriously Posh, you are one funny woman. We're already practicing the same leg-pose for when we eventually reply to work emails.
13 of 18When they decked out a London bus in the Union Jack flag
Come on... who wouldn't want to ride in the one and only spice girls tour bus!? We are OBSESSED. When can we hitch a lift?
14 of 18When Geri met Charles...
Who can forget when Geri met Prince Charles at the 1st anniversary concert for the Princes' Trust in 1997? Ginger spice certainly wasn't shy in THAT outfit - she enjoyed a cheeky flirt with the prince.
15 of 18And then Geri and Charles reunited 22 years later
A much more sophisticated meeting this time. The pair looked like good old friends catching up as they chatted all things spice at another Princes' Trust event over two decades later.
16 of 18When London's favourite girlband took on PARIS
Bonjour Paris. Spice girls are giving us all the feels in this adorable snap in front on the Eiffel tower during their 1998 world tour. Throwback Thursday goals.
17 of 18When Posh had that haircut... but the spice girls let her have her hair moment without judgement
When Posh had that infamous haircut, the spice girls let her get on with it without passing judgement. That's true friendship, surely?
18 of 18When four of the band announced a 2019 reunion... and Posh showed her support
When four of the band announced a 2019 reunion, Posh still showed her support. Victoria took to Instagram to support her former bandmates. She said, "Today marks a special day for the girls as they announce the first tour dates since we performed together in 2012! I won't be joining my girls on stage again but being in the Spice Girls was a hugely important part of my life and I wish them so much love and fun as they go back on tour next year. I know they will put on an amazing show and the fantastic fans past and present are going to have a wonderful time! "
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Despite going public, it’s claimed that Mel and Rory are keen to keep their relationship casual.
“Mel isn’t looking for a serious relationship, and Rory is very easygoing, so they are keeping things very casual and chilled for now,” the source continued.
“As far as they are both concerned, they are happy and that’s all that matters.
“Mel can’t stop smiling when she’s around him.”
Mel has recently relocated back to her hometown of Leeds, conveniently placing her closer to Rory who runs his salon in the city.
During an appearance on The Jonathon Ross Show just a few weeks ago, she told the chat show host she was single but it’s thought this was an attempt to keep her new relationship under wraps.
The source added: “Mel didn’t want to open up about them dating on TV, and Rory accepted that. He knows her main focus is her kids.”
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Mel reunited with the rest of The Spice Girls for a huge UK tour earlier this year and made the shock revelation that she had enjoyed a romantic fling with Geri Horner in the band’s heyday.
It was then claimed that Mel grew close to singer Jess Glynne who was the band’s support act on their tour, although neither party confirmed their relationship.
Mel also reportedly had a “wild fling” with X Factor winner James Arthur during her time as a judge on America’s Got Talent.
A source told The Sun: “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.
“They had a wild fling and loved spending time together, but it ended respectfully."