Los Angeles - Mel B's husband has reportedly fled the UK.
Stephen Belafonte, whose seven-year marriage to the X Factor judge, 39, is said to be on ''life support'' following a string of explosive arguments.
Belafonte has jetted back to their home in Los Angeles after she told him their relationship is ''over'' and refused to return to their apartment in West London.
A source close to the former Spice Girl, who is still recovering after being hospitalised with crippling stomach pains last Thursday said: ''Mel is feeling strong about her decision at the moment, but it's obviously a very difficult time. She was at her lowest point in a long time and it's very telling that he wasn't there for her.''
Stephen is said to have left the UK on Sunday afternoon, hours before Mel returned to the set of the ITV reality show, but her friends fear they could still reunite.
The insider told the UK's The Sun newspaper: ''The fact that he left the country before she'd even gone back on X Factor is another sign of just how bad things have become between them."
''But Stephen is playing hard to get and hoping that by leaving the country Mel will give in and agree to have him back. They have been in bad places before but he always ends up taking the control. This time all her friends hope that won't happen.''
The film producer, 39, was last spotted walking to the shops with Mel's daughters Phoenix Chi, 15, Angel, 7, and Madison, 3, in London on Sunday morning.
Belafonte recently went on twitter to deny rumours of him abusing his wife:
Idon't usually respond to Twitter msgs but I will respond to comments of hitting my wife which I think are quite disgusting un true!
— Stephen Belafonte (@Stephenthinks1) December 15, 2014
Mel was very ill a bunch of doctors helped her get better if fans can't just relax B4 being negative they r not real fans of @OfficialMelB
— Stephen Belafonte (@Stephenthinks1) December 15, 2014