Melanie Brown is planning a more formal family event

A statement said that the pair had wanted to "make a private commitment to each other".

The couple, who tied the knot at the Special Memory Wedding Chapel, are planning a bigger celebration for friends and family later this year.

Her publicist added the pair have been "good friends for many years".

Whirlwind romance

She continued: "The couple, who are both 32, had wanted to keep the ceremony out of the public eye as they planned a more formal wedding for friends and family later in the year.

"Melanie and Stephen felt that they were at a good point in their lives and wanted to make a private commitment to each other. They have been good friends for many years."

This is the second marriage for the pop star, who wed dancer Jimmy Gulzar in 1998 at a lavish ceremony in Buckinghamshire.

The pair got engaged after a whirlwind 10-week romance but divorced after two years.

They have an eight-year-old daughter called Phoenix Chi.

The singer, who is also known as Scary Spice, is due to reunite with the British pop group, the Spice Girls in December on a world tour.

Belafonte's recent film credits include Sisters and Thank You for Smoking.

The 32-year-old has been contesting the paternity of her baby daughter with actor Eddie Murphy.

Brown, who dated the Hollywood star briefly, gave birth to Angel Iris in April and named Murphy as the father.