News of the World hears from a family source close to Eddie Murphy that the actor was not in love with Melanie Brown and only slept with the Spice Girl three times. “It was clear Mel was desperate to be like Posh Spice and wanted a high profile catch like David Beckham,” the source said. “She wanted the fame and the fortune and more than anything she wanted a wealthy, A-list husband. Getting involved with Mel was the worst mistake Eddie ever made and he’ll regret it for the rest of his life. He’s eaten away by bitterness and is convinced she’s trying to ruin him.”

In fact, the source claimed that Mel B “said all the problems would go away if Eddie agreed to her demands for a $9 million house in Malibu plus living expenses for 18 years.”

The entire story at newsoftheworld.co.uk has since been removed.

News of the World is going after Melanie Brown after the Spice Girl refused to waive her appearance fee for helping the Make a Wish Foundation. “All Mel B did was sing a couple of Christmas songs, sign autographs and mingle with the crowd collecting donations in a plastic bucket,” an insider at the London Selfridges, where the fundraiser was held, told the British tabloid. “And for that she pocketed £10,000 [$20,000] that should have gone to needy kids. Many people felt she should have waived her fee. It’s the least she could have done to help raise cash for the kids.” The full story at newsoftheworld.co.uk has since been removed.