Mel B is engaged to Leeds hairdresser who restored her faith in men after 10-year domestic violence hell
MEL B is engaged to wed boyfriend of three years Rory McPhee after he proposed this week.
The Spice Girl, 47, was “overwhelmed” when the Leeds-born hairdresser popped the question on Wednesday.
And sources close to the star told how Rory, 36, and a long-time family friend, has helped repair the damage done by her ten-year domestic abuse hell.
Brave Mel has spoken openly about how she was left “powerless” during her decade-long relationship with abusive ex-hubby Stephen Belafonte.
But one source told how Rory, who she began dating in 2018, has restored her trust in men.
Rory got down on one knee at luxury country hotel Cliveden House, Berks, to propose.
READ MORE SHOWBIZ NEWS
He presented her with a £100,000 pear-shaped, champagne-coloured diamond ring, encrusted with smaller champagne diamonds set on a rose gold band.
The source said: “Mel is so happy and this is such a big deal for her because she has been though such a lot.
“It has taken a huge amount for a man to get her to trust him and to believe in love again.
“Rory is from her home town Leeds, he’s known her for years. He’s the absolute opposite of so many of the guys she had relationships with.
Most read in The Sun
“He is a really normal, down-to-earth guy, with good morals who has worked incredibly hard to build his own business and a family business. He’s not flash, or interested in the limelight.
“He comes from a loving family and his best pal is Mel’s cousin, Christian Cooke. He has really taken the time to understand what she’s been through. He is madly in love with her.
“It’s incredibly hard to trust a man after years of abuse but he has shown her men can be caring, trustworthy and reliable.”
According to friends, mum-of-three Mel “burst into tears” when Rory got down on one knee.
One said: “She said ‘yes’ straight away. But it was incredibly emotional because after everything she has been through, it was a really big moment for her.”
According to sources, her eldest daughter Phoenix, 23, was the first person to be told — and the rest of her family and all four Spice Girls were let in on the news. The source said: “All the Spice Girls have met Rory and like him.”
Mel, who was awarded an MBE this year for her work as Patron of domestic violence charity Women’s Aid, has been dating Rory since 2018 when they met up through friends in LA — when they were pictured with top make-up artist Renee Camilleri.
But the relationship became more serious the following year, when Mel returned to the UK for the 2019 Spice World Tour.
Rory, who works in the family hair salon in Leeds and his own salon, Lab Hair, accompanied her to Brooklyn Beckham’s Palm Beach wedding earlier this year. And they were at an awards do in Manchester in May.
The source went on: “The ring is gorgeous and Mel is thrilled with it. She hasn’t stopped smiling.”
The old-fashioned proposal is a stark contrast to her previous relationship.
Belafonte, whose real name is Stephen Stansbury, insisted on getting married in Las Vegas within six weeks of meeting — and Mel had to buy both wedding rings.
Mel, who has appeared as a judge on The X Factor and America’s Got Talent, was left on the brink of suicide after the “reign of terror” at the hands of her ex, who she divorced in August 2018.
Read More on The Sun
A second source last night told how Mel’s family and friends are “over the moon” she has found happiness with Rory.
They said: “They feel — as she does — that she is safe with him, and what more could they ask for?”
The life & loves of a Spice Star
MARCH 1998: Mel begins dating dancer Jimmy Gulzar on the Spiceworld Tour.
MAY 13, 1998: Couple become engaged.
SEPTEMBER 13, 1998: Mel and Jimmy marry.
FEBRUARY 19, 1999: Daughter Phoenix Chi is born.
JAN 1, 2000: They split and Mel files for divorce.
FEBRARY 9, 2000: Mel is linked to Max Beesley.
DECEMBER 2002: Pair split.
2003: Mel is linked to Christine Crokos. They are together for five years.
2006: Mel meets Eddie Murphy. She falls pregnant but he questions if baby is his.
FEB 2007: Mel begins dating Stephen Belafonte.
APRIL 3, 2007: Mel’s daughter with Eddie, Angel Iris, is born and in June a paternity test confirms he is dad.
JUNE 6, 2007: Mel is married to Stephen Belafonte.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2009: Mel’s third daughter Madison born.
DECEMBER 2016: Mel and Stephen separate.
MARCH 2017: Mel files for divorce, 16 days after the death of dad Martin.
Laura Armstrong: 'Survivor story's so inspiring;
AS a domestic abuse survivor, Mel B has not only seen the worst a relationship can be — she has lived it in the most agonising way possible.
She has worn the bruises, both physical and emotional. She has fought to claw her way out.
So how uplifting it is to hear the Spice Girl is now experiencing a loving relationship at its very best.
Sources say her new fiancé Rory is caring, kind and supportive. Where ten years of abuse had torn her down, he has helped build her back up.
He is said to be incredibly proud of the campaigning work that has seen her fight for the rights of those suffering domestic abuse.
Her voice has given many hope they can escape their abusers. Today, she embodies a new hope.
The hope that beyond escape there can lie a new, happier, life — and the love, trust and respect so many victims are denied.