Mel B's brother-in-law has claimed Stephan Belafonte was the reason why the star was axed from 'The X Factor'.
Mel B
Jeremiah Stansbury alleges that the former Spice Girl - who missed the first half of last year's final due to a mystery illness before returning for the second part without her wedding ring on - is "very vulnerable" and would struggle to leave her husband.
He said: "She doesn't seem to have the right people around her. She is very vulnerable so she hasn't been able to leave him.
"It is sad she got axed. The world of showbusiness has a high threshold of debauchery - you can party and you can have sex with strippers and they will welcome you back.
"But there is certain level of toxicity that will not be tolerated. And once people see through Stephen's good looks and new clothes they cut him off. It's hard to have him around. He wants everything his way.
"But there are some really accomplished and talented people with real credentials involved on that show and they don't buy into it."
And Jeremiah also claims that the couple's relationship may be affected by Mel's axing from the show.
He added to The Sun newspaper: "He's not been gloating about winning Mel back. In fact he's not in a good place and things seem to be unravelling for him at the moment.
"Some of the bad things he has done in the past seem to be coming home to roost a little bit. So this news will not help him or their relationship."
Meanwhile, 'X Factor' bosses have promised a shake-up for this year's show with Simon Cowell the only judge confirmed to return.
Tagged in The X Factor Mel B Simon Cowell Stephen Belafonte