Injury means Mel C may not walk properly for 18 months

Mel C may not be able to walk properly for 18 months after damaging her knee in the Channel 4 show The Games.

The former Spice Girl snapped three ligaments in her knee when she was floored by Miss World, Azra Akin, in a judo bout for the show.

The Sun says the 29-year-old has cancelled public appearances and postponed the release of her new single Yeh Yeh Yeh until October 27.

Mel's friend, TV's Fame Academy teacher Carrie Grant, said: "She is undergoing serious problems with her knee. She had surgery on Friday. It was worse than they thought, once they opened her knee up. Much worse.

"She's going to be on crutches for four to six weeks, then it will be 18 months before she is able to walk and run properly."

Mel is expected to have her leg in a splint for two weeks. She will then have a wire brace on it, allowing more flexibility.

A spokeswoman for her said: "We don't know how long the recovery will be until Melanie gets the splint off."