Photos: Mel B's husband Stephen Belafonte speaks out after fans wildly accuse him of hitting her

Wow, this is spicy jist!
Mel B's husband has slammed speculation that he was responsible for her scratched and bruised appearance on The X Factor judge on Sunday.

The judge came back for the show's live final after being admitted to hospital in agony on Thursday night.

There had been no explanation from the 39-year-old former Spice Girl for her hospital admission, which caused her to miss Saturday's episode of the show.

But concerned viewers pointed out that she appeared to have 'a swollen face', a bruise on her cheek and scratches on her upper arms.

And many fans were quick to speculate that Stephen Belafonte, her husband of seven years, was involved as Mel wasn't wearing her wedding ring on Sunday night.

Within minutes of the show starting, Twitter was inundated with extraordinary speculation over whether she could have been the subject of a physical attack from Belafonte.

Luke Robinson wrote: 'So Mel B was APPARENTLY beaten up by her husband that's why she couldn't make it last night. Hense the bruise on cheek and no wedding ring.'

Tom Stoneman tweeted: 'Mel B's got a well iffy bruise on her cheek, scratches on the top of her arms and no wedding ring.... #xfactor.

Katy Perry Cherry wrote: 'hope it's not true about Mel B! just seems a bit odd how her "wedding ring was stolen in hospital" and she's got a bruise on her cheek..'

Tim Jones added: 'Not one to spread rumors but Mel B doesn't have a wedding ring and is sporting a nice bruise on her cheek #justsaying.'

And on Monday morning a furious Stephen, 39, hit back, saying: '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!

'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.' 

Not everyone linked Mel's appearance to Stephen but many pointed out that she appeared to be bruised and questioned what had happened. 

Rob Saunders tweeted: 'Mel B has surely been assaulted? Make-up doesn't hide bruising well. Her left eye looks dodgy. Scratches on her upper arms. Perhaps I'm wrong.' 

Rikki Tomasik added: 'Is it just me that thinks Mel B has been punched in the face? Clearly has a puffy eye and a huge bruise on her cheek!'

And Trish Preston commented: 'Actually worried about Mel B's wellbeing – she looks really unwell. Nothing is worth sacrificing one's health for.' 

Another said: 'Something tells me there's still a lot more to come out of this Mel B story.'