The Spice Girl married Hollywood producer Stephen Belafonte after a five-month whirlwind romance in 2007. They have one daughter, Madison Brown Belafonte, five.

In papers obtained by People, Melanie "Mel B" Brown, asked for joint legal and physical custody of Madison. The couple's date of separation is listed as December 28.

She requested the court not award spousal support.

The family lived in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs during Brown's role as a judge on the X Factor and a co-host of the 2012 season of Dancing with the Stars.

They returned to the US in 2013, with Brown travelling to Australia to act as a judge on The Voice Kids in 2014.

In addition to Madison, Brown has two daughters, nine-year-old Angel Iris Murphy Brown (from her 2006 relationship with actor Eddie Murphy) and Phoenix Chi Gulzar, 17. Belafonte has one daughter, Giselle Belafonte, 12.

Last month, Brown posted a photo of the couple on Instagram, accompanied by a loved-up caption.

"We have been through everything that would normally tear couples apart and we have come out on the other side stronger. You loved me before I even [knew] how to really love myself. You are my world, honey," she wrote, adding "and let's not forget you are abit [sic] of a dickhead too."

Fairfax Media