Spice Girl Mel B, aka Scary Spice, has admitted to being on the "edge of self destruction" during her abusive marriage to Stephen Belafatone.
The former X Factor judge was married to American film producer Steven for ten years after they got hitched in June 2007.
In her 2018 memoir Brutally Honest, Mel who has just made a video to spotlight domestic abuse, claimed she was subjected to physical and verbal abuse during her marriage.
Mel, now 45, revealed she'd been 'living in a nightmare' and tried to hide her immense shame at staying with Belafonte despite her misery.
The mum said at times she thought Stephen might kill her and at other times she felt she might take her own life.
Mel showed off the awful consequences of abuse after appearing in a powerful four-minute film about domestic abuse to shed light on the World Health Organisation's latest findings that one in three women around the world are subjected to physical or sexual violence by a partner.
She partnered with the charity Women's Aid to share her own experience in the hope of helping others.
She said of her ordeal: "I tried to leave seven times, so you can imagine how desperate I was in those 10 years. I didn’t have anywhere to go, I didn’t have my own credit card, I didn’t have a car, I’ve got three kids, I was very on the edge of self-destruction."
Mel also told The Guardian: "I self-medicated. I tried everything but trying to end it all, because that to me would mean he would win."
Mel eventually made an escape when she flew from LA to Leeds to be with her dying father in his final days.
The singer, who also modelled for Michelle Mone's Ultimo brand, said her dad had been in a coma and not spoken for months but opened his eyes when she told him she was leaving her husband.
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch.
