Um, bit strange... Mel B has turned to her ex-boyfriend Eddie Murphy - the same Eddie Murphy who refused to acknowledge her daughter, Angel, was his until a test confirmed his parentage - for advice following her split from Stephen Belafonte (whom she married in 2007).

The former Spice Girl - who recently called time on her relationship with Stephen, 39 - is said to have reached out to RAW star in a series of transatlantic phone calls, in which he has advised her to "keep quiet" and "stay classy" - proving just how well he knows her.

A source told the Daily Star: "Eddie has told her to keep a lid on her feelings publicly. Stephen is the one doing all the talking and all the begging for her to go back to him. But Eddie has told her to keep quiet, stay classy and only talk when she has something to say."

Eddie, 53, split from Mel in 2006 and ordered she take a paternity test to prove he was the father of her daughter Angel, seven, however, following the test's positive match, the pair have obviously become friends.

Also quick to show his support to Mel in the wake of her split from Stephen is Simon Cowell. The 55-year-old mogul has vowed to be there for the 39-year-old singer in whatever way he can.

An insider said: "He called as soon as he realised she was in trouble. Simon has grown close to Mel and wants to do everything he can to help her get through this. He doesn't just see himself as a boss - he likes to think his TV judges consider him a friend... He is enjoying the break after a hectic series of X Factor. Being with his family (Eric is now 10-months-old) at Christmas and relaxing in the sun is the perfect downtime for Simon. But he's made it clear to Mel she is more than welcome to get in touch if she needs his help. He meant it when he said he'd be there for her - whenever she needed it."

According to reports via The Independent, the cause of Mel's recent hospitalisation was as a result of a"bad reaction to alcohol and tranquilisers: "Radar Online reports that the singer was admitted with agonising stomach pains after she mixed a cocktail of medicines including Xanax with a significant volume of alcohol."

A source added: "It was absolutely accidental and not intentional... She wasn’t suicidal, but the pressure of being back in London brought a lot of unresolved issues to the surface concerning being estranged from mother, Andrea, and the rest of her family."