Mel B’s husband denies hitting her

X Factor judge Mel B’s husband has publicly denied hitting his wife after her return to The X Factor sparked speculation about the cause of her mystery illness.

The former Spice Girl, 39, was absent from the ITV show on Saturday night but was back yesterday after being released from hospital.

Some fans said she appeared to have scratches on her body and a bruised cheek.

Her husband, film producer Stephen Belafonte, denied the “disgusting” speculation in a message on Twitter.

“I don’t usually respond to Twitter messages but I will respond to comments of hitting my wife which I think are quite disgusting... untrue!” he wrote.

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!

— Stephen Belafonte (@Stephenthinks1) December 15, 2014

“Mel was very ill. A bunch of doctors helped her get better. If fans can’t just relax before being negative they are not real fans of Mel B.”

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

— Stephen Belafonte (@Stephenthinks1) December 15, 2014

The singer did not appear to be wearing her wedding ring when she returned to the second part of The X Factor results show yesterday evening, when Ben Haenow was crowned winner.

Tulisa Contoslavlos replaced Mel on Saturday’s show.