Melanie Chisholm, better known as Mel C, made a stylish appearance at Brighton Pride on Sunday, where she watched British pop group Five perform on stage more than two decades after her brief romance with band member Jason “J” Brown.
The Spice Girls star, who recently married Chris Dingwall, was among the crowd after completing her own DJ set earlier in the day.
While she enjoyed the live performance, Brown reunited with fellow Five members Abz Love, Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville and Sean Conlon as the iconic boy band entertained festivalgoers.
Mel C and Jason Brown’s Friendship Endures
Mel C and Brown were romantically involved for around four months in 2000 before deciding to part ways.
Despite ending their relationship, the pair have maintained a friendly bond over the years.
Their romance attracted considerable attention at the height of both artists’ careers.
They were photographed together backstage at the 2000 Brit Awards, where Five collected the Best Pop Act award.
Around the same period, Mel revealed that her hit single Never Be the Same Again had been inspired by Brown.
Later that year, she joked during a BBC interview that although Brown was not particularly fond of the Spice Girls, she had become a fan of Five because of their relationship.
Singer Reflects Fondly on Her Former Boyfriend
More recently, Mel C spoke positively about Brown while appearing on the Celebrity Search Engine podcast.
She described him as “lovely” and confirmed that, although they rarely meet in person, they have stayed in contact over the years and continue to regard each other as friends.
Their appearance at the same event highlighted the cordial relationship they have maintained long after their romance ended.
Casual Style Steals Attention at Brighton Event
Mel C embraced her signature sporty fashion for the Pride celebrations, wearing an Adidas crop top paired with matching tracksuit bottoms.
The outfit showcased her athletic physique as well as her well-known tattoos.
Brown also opted for a striking monochrome ensemble, combining an embroidered shirt with an eye-catching bowler hat as he performed alongside his bandmates.
Pride Appearance Follows Honeymoon Celebration
The Brighton outing came shortly after Mel C returned from her honeymoon with her new husband, Chris Dingwall.
The couple celebrated their marriage with an unconventional trip that included Mel’s mother, Joan, and stepfather, Dennis.
Dingwall later shared photographs from the holiday on social media while marking his 46th birthday, describing the occasion as a memorable week spent with some of the people closest to him.
Mel responded publicly with a heartfelt birthday message, writing that she loved her husband.
Chris Dingwall’s Life Before Marrying the Spice Girl
Interest in Dingwall has grown following the couple’s wedding, with reports revealing that he had previously been married before separating from his former wife because they wanted different things from life.
Before meeting Mel, the Australian actor had reportedly spent years living in London and Los Angeles while pursuing an acting career.
He also travelled extensively after a relationship with actress Tamara Salamacha came to an end around 15 years ago.
Friends have described Dingwall as someone who avoids public attention despite working in entertainment and being surrounded by celebrities during his years in Hollywood.
Romance That Changed Mel C’s View on Marriage
Mel C and Dingwall reportedly met through celebrity dating app Raya three years ago, with their first date taking place in Sydney.
Their relationship continued to strengthen before Dingwall proposed during a holiday in Mallorca in July 2025.
The engagement marked a significant change for Mel, who had previously said she never expected to marry but later admitted that turning 50 inspired her to embrace experiences she had once ruled out.
The singer’s appearance at Brighton Pride offered another glimpse into that new chapter of her life while also revisiting a friendly connection from her past, as she watched one of British pop’s most recognisable boy bands perform before an enthusiastic crowd.
