Mel B splits from boyfriend Max

Former Spice Girl Mel B has separated from her boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, actor Max Beesley.

The 27-year-old singer has not been seen out with Beesley, 30, who starred in the BBC's Tom Jones, since 4 March. She is believed to have been behind the split after deciding the relationship had no long-term future.

Beesley has moved out of her home in Buckinghamshire. Friends say the relationship, rocky for several months, was made more difficult as the couple struggled to make their careers a success.

Mel's solo pop career failed to take off and culminated in her being dropped by record label Virgin, while her attempts at fronting the ITV talent show This Is My Moment met poor ratings.

She recently had a try-out as a Top Of The Pops presenter, before a six-week West End run in The Vagina Monologues.