Mel B, 44, had a ‘wild secret fling’ with X Factor winner James Arthur, 31

Mel B, 44, reportedly had a ‘wild secret fling’ with X Factor winner James Arthur, 31, after meeting while she was a judge on America’s Got Talent in 2017.

The Spice Girls star, who is 13 years older than the Impossible hitmaker, is said to have ‘hit it off’ with the singer after he performed on the NBC talent show. 

Mel had just ended her marriage with her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte and James was also single during the time of their reported fling.

A source told The Sun: ‘James was single at the time and they hit it off instantly. Mel thought James was very handsome and would become the next big British music superstar. 

‘James couldn’t believe his luck that a stunning member of the Spice Girls would be interested in him. They had a wild fling and loved spending time together, but it ended respectfully.’

The source added that the two stars exchanged no messages on social media with James not even following Mel on Instagram despite the star following him.   

MailOnline has contacted both James and Mel’s representatives for comment. 

‘Hit it off’: The Spice Girls star, who is 13 years older than the Impossible hitmaker, is said to have ‘hit it off’ with the singer after he performed on the NBC talent show (James pictured on the show in 2017, left, and Mel in 2018, right) 

In 2017, James, who has been in an on-off relationship with dancer Jessica Grist, revealed that he had a fling with former X Factor judge Rita Ora shortly after he won the ITV singing show in 2012 and they went on tour in 2013.   

However the romance came to a swift end, and resulted in deeper issues for James – who admitted he ‘turned into a s**g’ after their breakup.

James previously told the Evening Standard of the dalliance: ‘Me and Rita were seeing each other on-and-off for a few months. All of a sudden we just stopped talking. 

‘Maybe it was bad for her image to be seen with me. I was a little bitter about that because she’d said she had a lot of feelings for me.’ 

Claims: A source told The Sun : ‘James was single at the time and they hit it off instantly. Mel thought James was very handsome and would become the next big British music superstar.’ (Mel pictured in September on The Jonathan Ross Show) 

‘Wild’: ‘They had a wild fling and loved spending time together, but it ended respectfully,’ the source added (James pictured over the weekend) 

While Mel B has yet to have a serious relationship since ending her marriage to ex-husband Stephen Belafonte in 2017.

The star was reported to have sparked romance rumours with support act Jess Glynne, 29, on the Spice Girls tour over the summer but Mel B denied the claims with an insider telling The Sun: ‘Mel is adamant they’re just pals.’

It came after a source told the publication: ‘Jess was a huge Spice Girls fan and pretty infatuated with Mel. So it was a bucket-list moment when she was asked to support the group…

Romance: In 2017, James revealed that he had a fling with former X Factor judge Rita Ora shortly after he won the ITV singing show in 2012 and they went on tour in 2013 

On-off: James has been in an on-off relationship with dancer Jessica Grist after first meeting  on the X Factor in 2012 

‘After they performed the gig in Manchester last month, Jess ended up partying with Mel in her dressing room until 7am. They became so close while on tour that there were whispers behind the scenes that they were having a secret romance.

‘But Mel is adamant they’re just pals. Although there are 15 years between them Mel and Jess discovered they were on a very similar wavelength. Both of them are straight-talking, and of course Mel enjoyed having her ego stroked by Jess’.

MailOnline contacted representatives for Jess and Mel for comment at the time. 

Rumours: Mel B was reported to have sparked romance rumours with support act Jess Glynne (pictured), 29, on the Spice Girls tour over the summer but Mel B denied the claims