Mel B's hubby Stephen Belafonte denies 'disgusting' domestic abuse rumors

Melanie Brown's husband Stephen Belafonte has slammed speculation that he was responsible for her scratched and bruised appearance on 'The X Factor,' that sparked concerns with viewers.

The 39-year-old film producer, who doesn't usually respond to Twitter messages, took it to his Twitter account to say that he thinks the "untrue" comments of hitting his wife of seven years are quite disgusting, the Mirror reported.

Belafonte added that a bunch of doctors helped Brown, who was very ill, get better and if fans can't just relax before being negative they are not real fans.

However, a friend of former Spice Girl's said that the couple's marriage really is at breaking point and hanging by a thread, adding "Mel is incredibly fragile and in a bad place."

The friend continued that the marriage, which is not looking good at all at the moment, may not survive, but the duo is so unpredictable that they could just as easily survive this.

Friends claim the pair, who got married in Las Vegas in 2007 after a whirlwind four-month romance, also had a furious row just days before she suddenly fell ill with stomach pains.

The 'X Factor' judge's aunt Diane Cook, who hopes the couple splits away, said that they all believe Belafonte has got Brown under his control and they are worried about Mel but there is nothing they can do.

Brown's uncle Eric Dixon added that Belafonte is not a very nice bloke.