Mel B flashes modified rib cage tattoo on return from Las Vegas after cutting out Stephen Belafonte's name... as ex-beau looks miserable in LA amid claims he is receiving £500,000 after their divorce settlement

She's endured a very difficult few months, following her acrimonious split from husband Stephen Belafonte.

But Mel B appeared in better spirits on Thursday, as she made a playful arrival at Hollywood Burkbank Airport from Las Vegas, despite reports that the former Spice Girl will have to pay over £500,000 over the next three years to her ex following their divorce settlement. 

As she made her way out of the airport in Los Angeles, Mel flashed a look at the tattoo etched onto her side, in which she recently had her ex-husband's name cut out of in order to make a fresh start following their split - Belafonte has always denied claims of domestic abuse. 

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Feeling good: Mel B was in better spirits than ever on Thursday, as she made a playful arrival at Hollywood Burbank airport with BFF Gary Madatyan

Feeling good: Mel B was in better spirits than ever on Thursday, as she made a playful arrival at Hollywood Burbank airport with BFF Gary Madatyan

The tattoo, that had been a tribute to Belafonte, has had a section sliced off of Mel's ribs in a dramatic gesture by the star to draw closure on their 'toxic relationship'. 

The mother-of-three had the words: 'Stephen, till death do us part you own my heart' inked along her rib cage yet she has now had his name cut away while intending to keep the rest of the wording.

Speaking of the drastic op, she said: 'I wanted the tattoo removed to help close the final chapter on a toxic relationship. Even though I’ve taken the steps to remove Stephen’s name from my body, the domestic abuse will forever remain with me.'

The shocking tattoo was carried out with the use of local anaesthetic, meaning Mel didn't have to endure a lengthy laser process, but has been left with scarring.

Ouch: The former Spice Girl flashed a look at the tattoo etched onto her side, in which she recently had her ex-husband's name cut out of in order to make a fresh start following their split

Ouch: The former Spice Girl flashed a look at the tattoo etched onto her side, in which she recently had her ex-husband's name cut out of in order to make a fresh start following their split

Not a call you wanted to take? Mel B's ex-husband Stephen Belafonte, meanwhile, was seen looking miserable at Bristol Farms in Beverly Hills on Thursday 

Not a call you wanted to take? Mel B's ex-husband Stephen Belafonte, meanwhile, was seen looking miserable at Bristol Farms in Beverly Hills on Thursday 

As Mel made her way out of the airport, she was seen teasing a look at her modified inking that runs along her side. 

Her removal comes nearly seven years to the day since she and Stephen headed to get matching inkings at the famed Sunset strip's Shamrocks Tattoos in Hollywood.

The former Spice Girl has a large dragon on her left shoulder blade, a depiction of a phoenix on her right arm, in honour of her eldest daughter, Phoenix Chi, several tribal art tattoos, including one on her lower back, a Chinese character on her stomach and ex-boyfriend Eddie Murphy's name tattooed on her hip. 

During her appearance in LA, Mel seemed to send out a bold message to Stephen, who was simultaneously seen across town looking miserable in the midst of their tit for tat claims about the divorce settlement the duo hashed out last month.

Fresh start: The tattoo, that had been a tribute to Belafonte, has had a section sliced off of Mel's ribs in a dramatic gesture by the star to draw closure on their 'toxic relationship'

Fresh start: The tattoo, that had been a tribute to Belafonte, has had a section sliced off of Mel's ribs in a dramatic gesture by the star to draw closure on their 'toxic relationship'

BFFs: Mel was joined by her best friend Gary, who sported an equally casual slogan tracksuit, featuring the phrase 'I Love You, Not Really', and grey headgear

BFFs: Mel was joined by her best friend Gary, who sported an equally casual slogan tracksuit, featuring the phrase 'I Love You, Not Really', and grey headgear

Seemingly taking an unwanted call, solo Stephen was spotted exiting Bristol Farms in Beverly Hills on the phone. But, it was a very different story for Mel who could not stop herself from beaming as she danced and laugh with her long-time friend Gary Madatyan outside the terminal.

The TV personality kept comfortable and casual in a grey tracksuit - embellished with white stars and the playful phrase across the chest.

While she added white trainers to her feet, Mel maintained a usual hint of glamour by slinging a sleek nude handbag over one shoulder, and accessorising with trendy sunglasses. 

She opted for minimal make-up, to draw attention to her radiant complexion, and pulled her hair back into a pink sports cap as she left the terminal.

Having a ball: Clearly in good spirits after their break in Las Vegas, the pair were spotted laughing animatedly and dancing with their luggage as they returned home 

Having a ball: Clearly in good spirits after their break in Las Vegas, the pair were spotted laughing animatedly and dancing with their luggage as they returned home 

Spice up your life: The 42-year-old could not stop herself from beaming as she joked with her friend outside the terminal - in a jumper emblazoned with the phrase: 'Living the dream'

Spice up your life: The 42-year-old could not stop herself from beaming as she joked with her friend outside the terminal - in a jumper emblazoned with the phrase: 'Living the dream'

Star of the show: The TV personality kept comfortable and casual in a grey tracksuit - embellished with white stars and the playful phrase across the chest

Star of the show: The TV personality kept comfortable and casual in a grey tracksuit - embellished with white stars and the playful phrase across the chest

Sports chic: She kept things low-key by adding white trainers

Sports chic: She kept things low-key by adding white trainers

Finishing touches: However Mel maintained a usual hint of glamour by slinging a sleek nude handbag over one shoulder, and accessorising with trendy sunglasses

Finishing touches: However Mel maintained a usual hint of glamour by slinging a sleek nude handbag over one shoulder, and accessorising with trendy sunglasses

Mel was joined by her best friend Gary, who sported an equally casual slogan tracksuit, featuring the phrase 'I Love You, Not Really', and grey headgear for their flight. 

Clearly in good spirits after their break in Las Vegas, the pair were spotted laughing animatedly and dancing with their luggage as they returned home. 

Gary and Mel have been friends for years, but the hairdresser was recently forced to slam claims the pair were an item.

He told The Sun Online: 'We both love each other deeply.She doesn’t have a man in her life at the moment, she is single and very happy being on her own, she’s still turning a lot of heads!'

Mel has been keeping a low profile in recent months, amid her difficult and lengthy divorce from Stephen. 

The pair allegedly came to a settlement in early November - which included joint legal custody of their daughter Madison, six, spousal support and the eradication of compromising videos. 

Taking a call: Flying solo, Stephen seemed absorbed by his telephone call

Taking a call: Flying solo, Stephen seemed absorbed by his telephone call

Running errands: The businessman was grabbing food from a healthy foods market

Running errands: The businessman was grabbing food from a healthy foods market

Firing back: The duo are in the middle of disputes about the settlement they agreed

Firing back: The duo are in the middle of disputes about the settlement they agreed

Out and about: He is not content with the way Mel is dealing with the divorce

Out and about: He is not content with the way Mel is dealing with the divorce

Natural: She opted for minimal make-up, to draw attention to her radiant complexion, and pulled her hair back into a pink sports cap as she left the terminal

Natural: She opted for minimal make-up, to draw attention to her radiant complexion, and pulled her hair back into a pink sports cap as she left the terminal

Having a ball: Mel could not contain her joy as she touched down in LA from Las Vegas, with a number of leopard print suitcases

Having a ball: Mel could not contain her joy as she touched down in LA from Las Vegas, with a number of leopard print suitcases

Let's go: The pair happily chatted and laughed on their way out, and Mel was even seen dancing out of the terminal at one point

Let's go: The pair happily chatted and laughed on their way out, and Mel was even seen dancing out of the terminal at one point

According to TMZ, Stephen has 'been in contact' with a realtor who is in connection with a potential buyer - set to offer more than $6million (£4.4m) in cash for the Hollywood Hills abode. 

However, the site also claims Mel has since hit back about having to pay her ex a six-figure sum during their three-year agreement.

According to new documents obtained by The Daily Mirror newspaper, the Spice Girls star has been ordered to pay the TV producer £11,160 a month for three years as part of their divorce settlement.

The total comes to £401,760 and Mel must also pay Stephen's £150,000 legal bill - due five days before Christmas.

A source said: "After all the abuse Mel claims she suffered at Stephen's hands it is a bitter pill she is swallowing right now. Handing over money to the man she alleges drove her to try to take her own life is quite incredible."

Group affair: The duo later joined a number of Mel's other friends at the doors

Group affair: The duo later joined a number of Mel's other friends at the doors

Farewell: Mel then wished her friends goodbye as they parted ways at the airport

Farewell: Mel then wished her friends goodbye as they parted ways at the airport

Staying strong: Mel has been keeping a low profile in recent months, amid her difficult and lengthy divorce from Stephen Belafonte

Staying strong: Mel has been keeping a low profile in recent months, amid her difficult and lengthy divorce from Stephen Belafonte

Her ex recently accused Mel of 'breaking' their agreement - by preventing him from selling their lavish $9.6million home in Los Angeles.

New allegations suggest Mel is blocking Stephen's access to the property they agreed he could repair, unload and sell, at the end of last month.

Stephen, meanwhile, had agreed to destroy any compromising video footage of the 'America's Got Talent' judge, who previously claimed he and their former nanny Lorraine Gilles had tried to extort her with sex tapes.

Mel filed for divorce in March this year amid allegations he had been physically and emotionally abusive towards her, claims he vehemently denies. 

Settled: The pair allegedly came to a settlement in November - including joint legal custody of their daughter Madison, spousal support and the eraditcaion of compromising videos

Settled: The pair allegedly came to a settlement in November - including joint legal custody of their daughter Madison, spousal support and the eraditcaion of compromising videos

The former couple will sell their marital home and divide the profits, but first Stephen will be allowed back into the abode to retrieve his personal possessions, including childhood photos, clothing and artwork.

The agreement was reached around the same time Mel withdrew her domestic violence order against the 42-year-old producer. 

Mel and Belafonte married in 2007 but the singer filed for divorce in March this year, citing 'irreconcilable differences' and claimed domestic abuse - which her ex has continuously denied.

Mel is also mother to daughter Phoenix, 18, with ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar, whilst Belafonte has daughter Giselle, 12, with ex Nicole Contreras. 

Happier times: Mel and Belafonte married in 2007 but the singer filed for divorce in March this year, citing 'irreconcilable differences' and claimed domestic abuse (pictured in 2013)

Happier times: Mel and Belafonte married in 2007 but the singer filed for divorce in March this year, citing 'irreconcilable differences' and claimed domestic abuse (pictured in 2013)

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