He left the country following a 'series of explosive rows with Mel B' but now her estranged mother, Andrea Brown, has hit out at her son-in-law, Stephen Belafonte in an extraordinary Twitter rant.
Andrea, who has been at loggerheads with Stephen for years, took to the social networking site to air her views - and while she may be biased in her attack, her words were fairly inflammatory.
'Little good news 4 me lost half a stone in 1 week+ will never suffer a vile abusive 3am call from stephan Belafonti again!!' [sic] she wrote.
Upset: Andrea's aired her views once again via Twitter on Friday - although she may be biased in her claims as she famously does not get on with Stephen
Soon after, she added another tweet in which she wrote, 'On average It takes 30 beatings 4 a woman to leave abusive man how sad more should b done 4 these victims!!'
It is unclear what she meant by the tweet but Stephen Belafonte has issued forthright denials to any suggestion he has hit his wife.
He is now in Los Angeles, reportedly in the wake of a ‘series of explosive rows’ with Mel B and took to Twitter to strenuously deny that he ever abused the X Factor judge.
Earlier in the week, he spoke exclusively to MailOnline in regards his current marital state, adding that he wasn't worried by the media firestorm, saying it's 'not the first time' he's been branded a violent thug.
'You can only re-mix ten things, ten ways, so many times,' he said.
But when asked to discuss the damaging accusations that he had struck his wife of seven years, he said: 'Who accused me of it, did she accuse me of it, the police, the hospital, who accused me of it?
'I thought when you beat someone up the police or the hospital or the person you beat up says it.'
Stephen Belafonte is now in Los Angeles, reportedly in the wake of a 'series of explosive rows' with Mel B and took to Twitter to deny that he ever abused the X Factor judge.
He was last seen sitting outside a cafe with his daughter Madison, 3, where they tucked into ice creams and orange juice.
Rant: Mel B's mother Andrea has attacked Stephen on Twitter once again
The X Factor judge's husband is said to have moved to the couple's home in America, while Mel has stayed behind in their London apartment amid claims their seven year marriage is on the rocks.
Stephen is alleged to have jetted off to the US on Sunday afternoon, even before Mel had been discharged from hospital in time to return to The X Factor judging panel.
A source told The Sun: '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.'
The film producer was reportedly last seen on Sunday morning, walking to the shops with Mel's daughters Phoenix Chi, 15, Angel, seven, and three-year-old Madison.
This latest development comes after the paper revealed that Mel, 39, had allegedly left her partner after their furious arguing became too much to bear.
And now pals are urging the former Spice Girl to formally break away from Stephen, reports the newspaper.
Mel B's husband has slammed speculation that he was responsible for her scratched and bruised appearance on The X Factor judge on Sunday.
On Monday morning a furious Stephen, 39, hit back, saying: 'I don't usually respond to Twitter msgs but I will respond to comments of hitting my wife which I think are quite disgusting un true!
'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.'
'Disgusting': Stephen Belefonte took to Twitter to slam speculation that he had hit his wife after she appeared on X Factor with what appeared to be bruises and scratches
When contacted by MailOnline, a representative for Mel B declined to comment.
The claims come as Mel has been unveiled as the new cover star for Grazia's Christmas issue, to whom she admitted that she was three hours late for the shoot because she'd had an argument with Stephen, 39.
The magazine quotes her as saying: ‘I walked in pi**ed off because I had a big row with my husband about stupid stuff. Sometimes he pi**es me off like no other, but he gets me.’
A well-placed source on The X Factor said that Stephen didn't visit his wife of seven years during the three days she spent in hospital, or attend the X Factor final on Sunday.
The source revealed that Belafonte is not liked by other members of The X Factor team.
‘None of that means that he has ever laid a finger on Mel, but he is not an easy person to be with, that is obvious to see. It was a physical and emotional collapse. There was an emotional element to it, Mel has been under a lot of stress.
‘He didn’t come to the show on Sunday as far as I am aware. He wasn't in her dressing room. I don’t believe he visited her in hospital, either.’
On Sunday, Belafonte was seen outside the Kensington block of flats where he and Mel have been renting an apartment since October, overseeing the loading of about 20 suitcases into a minivan.
A source told The Sun that the marriage is on 'life support', adding: 'Mel hasn't spoken to Stephen once since her admission to hospital last week and as it stands she doesn't want to see him. He didn't come to the hospital at all.
'Everyone around her is encouraging her to stay strong and to leave him for good this time because they don't believe their relationship is healthy.
'Things have been very rocky over the last few weeks...last week everything escalated and there were a number of big rows before Mel ended up in hospital.'
No wedding ring: Mel's appearance along with her lack of wedding ring led to fans speculating about the state of her marriage
The Mirror claim that Mel is convalescing at a secret location, with a pal telling them: 'The marriage really is at breaking point and hanging by a thread. Mel is incredibly fragile and in a bad place.
'Who knows whether the marriage will survive? At the moment, it's not looking good at all. But Mel and Stephen are so unpredictable they could just as easily survive this.
Mel's aunt, Diane Cook told the paper, 'I hope she gets away from him. We all believe Stephen has got her under his control,' while uncle Eric Dixon added, 'He is not a very nice bloke.'
In 2007, shortly after their marriage in June that year, it emerged that Belafonte had been charged with battery in America after being arrested for attacking his then girlfriend, Nicole Contreras.
He pleaded ‘no contest’ to the battery charge – which the judge stated was the same as a guilty plea – and was ordered to take part in a ‘Domestic Violence Batterers’ Programme’.
In 2008, around the time Mel and Belafonte had a wedding blessing in Egypt, a friend of Miss Contreras told a newspaper about his violent and possessive character.
Agony: Mel was reportedly rushed to hospital in agony on Thursday but was released in time for Sunday's final
Nicole is said to have told her friend: ‘I fear for Melanie because a leopard does not change his spots. He seems utterly charming – but I’m afraid it won’t be long before his mask slips.’
Nicole said that Stephen was over-possessive. ‘I would be away on photo shoots and Stephen would call my hotel room hundreds of times a night demanding: “Who the **** are you with, Nikki?”
‘One time we went out partying in Hollywood and Stephen was convinced a man in the bar was eyeing me up, which was total rubbish. Stephen followed him out of the bar and beat him senseless.’
Miss Contreras’s friend told the newspaper the relationship became on and off and finally ended after Belafonte told Nicole he’d met someone else.
Not exactly convincing: Asked by host Dermot O'Leary if she was feeling better, Mel said: 'Yes – ish'
Nicole told the friend: ‘One night he turned to me and said, “Nikki, I’ve met someone who is very famous and very rich and wants to marry me but if you will have me back then I’ll forget it”. He wouldn’t say who she was but said, “She is so rich she could change my life”.’
Of course, these could be the observations of a woman scorned. But Mel B is certainly rich – she is worth an estimated £35million.
The X Factor judge was absent from the judges' table on Saturday's instalment of the show, after being admitted to hospital in agony on Thursday night. However, she returned for the live final on Sunday.
But fans soon took to social media to question the state of her marriage, as they noticed that she wasn't wearing her wedding ring during the broadcast.
As the programme started on Sunday, Mel B referred to her Saturday absence, saying: 'I really missed being here but thanks to all the doctors and nurses who took care of me and got me here tonight.'
Asked by host Dermot O'Leary if she was feeling better, she said: 'Yes – ish.' But viewers insisted the normally forthright star was 'not herself' throughout her appearance on the show.
Twitter was full of speculation over the reason for the mother-of-three's absence and commented that she appeared to have 'a swollen face', a bruise on her cheek and scratches on her upper arms.
Mel was thought to have collapsed with serious stomach pains after suffering from a suspected stomach ulcer.
X Factor producers had been given enough notice to line up a high-profile replacement in the shape of Tulisa Contostavlos for Saturday's show.
On Thursday Mel B suffered stomach pains after leaving her west London home for rehearsals.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'Mel seemed OK when she first got into the car but during the journey it gradually became clear something was very wrong.
'She was complaining about stomach pains that seemed to grow worse and worse, until she was in agony. She was crying out.
Tight-lipped: Mel has not directly addressed any of the speculation about her appearance on the show
'Mel was in so much pain that the driver rushed her straight to hospital.
'It was a terrifying episode – he had no idea if Mel was going to be OK or not. He's been the one constant at her side ever since.'
While Mel's estranged mother and sister Danielle, 26, waited to hear more information about Mel's health ahead of the show on Sunday, they took to Twitter with a desperate plea.
Danielle fell out with Mel over her concerns about the former Spice Girl singer's husband Stephen Belafonte.
She launched a Twitter tirade calling for Stephen, Mel's fellow X Factor judge Simon Cowell and even her PR firm, to get in touch with the family about her condition.
Danielle began by retweeting her mother Andrea's message and adding a few words of her own.
'@ANDREA_m_BROWN: Mothers worse nightmare to hear ur daughters seriously Ill in hosp and not know where to go!!' It's just horrific!!!!!!,' it read.
Lashing out: Danielle took to Twitter to share her worry about Mel's mysterious condition
Lashing out: Danielle took to Twitter to share her worry about Mel's mysterious condition
Then she launched into numerous tweets, revealing her worry and fears over Mel's condition.
'This is ridiculous and cruel !!! Evil ! How can NO one tell me and my family where my sister is and what is going on?????
'Just a simple call to say she gonna be ok is all it takes!!!!,' she wrote.[sic]
Then she directly addressed Simon Cowell, who is reportedly extremely worried about his fellow judge.
Danielle wrote: '@SimonCowell How can NO one tell me and my family where my sister is and what is going on????? Can you please help? Or who can we contact?'
And then she moved on to Stephen, with whom she has always had a frosty relationship.
Danielle wrote: 'STOP @stephenthinks1 with your evil lies!! You told me and my mum yesterday she is fine and not in hospital @SimonCowell just doing press!
'@stephenthinks1 and now you say she is sick but ok Where is my sister??? What have you done??
'@stephenthinks1 if I have 2go press I will! Ive recorded all your calls 4 the past week including your 330am abusive call and Mel visit 2dad.'
The meltdown ended with a 'desperate' plea for help.
She tweeted: 'I am beyond desperate and this should be a private family matter!! But we don't know what else to do if anyone at all can help then pls do!'
In March 2008, Andrea gave an interview to The Sun in which she told how it had been three and a half years since she was allowed any contact with her daughter.
In an interview she told how, in November 2008, she was cut off from the singer and her daughters after she questioned whether Mel's new husband, Stephen Belafonte, would get on with eldest child Phoenix Chi, now 13.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the quick reaction of Mel's driver on Thursday were instrumental in getting Mel the medical help she needed.
There were varying reports about Belafonte – the father of three-year-old Madison, her third child – with The Sun claiming, 'Nobody knows where Stephen is,' while TheSunday People said he has been by her side throughout.
And Simon Cowell was said to be extremely worried.
A source told The Sunday People: 'Everyone is very worried. Simon has been in constant touch with her husband to keep updated. Simon hasn't spoken to Mel because she can't use her phone but has been fully informed about her condition.'
A source added to the Sunday Mirror: 'Simon has admitted to being very, very worried about Mel. She is such a livewire - everyone is really stunned at how quickly this illness took hold of her. Simon is in shock - we are all in shock.'
On Sunday night, viewers saw Ben Haenow, a 29-year-old van driver from Croydon, Surrey, beat Fleur East to win X Factor.
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini showed her support for Mel when asked by host Dermot O'Leary what her highlight was from this year's singing competition.
'Getting to know this one’, Cheryl said as she grabbed Mel's hand on Sunday night at Wembley ARENA.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2880765/Mel-B-s-mother-launches-extraordinary-Twitter-rant.html#ixzz3MMsMVCWD
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
