Simon Cowell failed to make an appearance at Mel B‘s wedding to her partner Rory McPhee in London on Saturday.
The Spice Girl, 50, and the hair stylist, 38, said ‘I do’ at St Paul’s Cathedral surrounded by A-list guests, including Emma Bunton, Cara Delevingne and Katherine Ryan.
However, there was a mystery on their special day as MailOnline understands that Britain’s Got Talent boss Cowell, 65, was not in attendance.
It is believed that the music mogul had RSVPed to attend the glitzy ceremony, but was nowhere in sight when Mel walked down the aisle.
Cowell had planned to attend with his fiancée Lauren Silverman, and the reason for their unexpected absence is not known.
Friends Cowell and Mel have known each other for many years, having both served as judges on The X Factor and America’s Got Talent.
Simon Cowell (pictured in July 2024) failed to make an appearance at Mel B ‘s wedding to her partner Rory McPhee in London on Saturday
The Spice Girl, 50, and the hair stylist, 38, said ‘I do’ at St Paul’s Cathedral surrounded by A-list guests, including Emma Bunton, Cara Delevingne and Katherine Ryan
Mel recently revealed that Cowell ‘fired’ her from AGT, but proved there was no bad blood when she returned for the show’s 20th anniversary season earlier this year.
MailOnline has contacted Cowell’s representatives for comment.
Cowell’s absence comes after the Mail revealed that he was set to rub shoulders with rival music manager Simon Fuller at Mel’s wedding.
The bride was thought to have invited both of the warring music managers, who have been enemies for decades, to her nuptials in what could have been an awkward reunion.
Fuller, 65, is regarded as the most successful British music mogul of all time and managed The Spice Girls at their height – which allegedly drew deep jealousy from Cowell, also 65, who had turned the group down.
The pair clashed when Pop Idol creator Fuller launched a £100million lawsuit against Cowell after he set up similarly formatted The X Factor.
They reached a settlement but the battle erupted again in 2011 over producer credits.
A source said before the wedding: ‘I’m sure everyone involved will behave impeccably.’
Friends Cowell and Mel have known each other for many years, having both served as judges on The X Factor and America’s Got Talent, but he was not in attendance despite RSVPing
Simon’s absence comes after the Mail revealed that he was set to rub shoulders with rival music manager Simon Fuller (both pictured in 2008) at Mel’s wedding
Mel looked every inch the blushing bride as she exchanged vows with her new husband Rory in a stunning ceremony.
Scary Spice looked gorgeous a pearl-adorned white gown and flashed a radiant smile after becoming the new Mrs McPhee.
Mel’s gown featured a sheer illusion design adorned with white pearls and a ruched bodice, with the singer adding a flowing veil to her bridal look.
Meanwhile, groom Rory, 37, opted for traditional Scottish attire complete with a red and green tartan kilt.
The newlyweds appeared blissfully happy and shared a sweet kiss for the gathered crowds as they joined their friends and family in leaving the historic venue.
Mel ditched her famous leopard print and opted for a traditional white wedding at the cathedral which was followed by a lavish £28,000 reception at The Shard.
Emma Bunton was the only Spice Girl in attendance, and she led the celebrity guests in leaving the venue after watching Mel walk down the aisle for the third time.
While their other bandmates Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell and Melanie Chisholm were absent on the big day – Emma ensured she was there to support her friend.
Then newlyweds had said I Do in front of their nearest and dearest at the dazzling ceremony
Mel was holding back tears as the newlyweds shared a tender moment together
Emma Bunton was the only Spice Girl in attendance, and she led the celebrity guests in leaving the venue after watching Mel walk down the aisle for the third time
Emma was accompanied by husband Jade Jones and their son Beau, 17, with both men looking dapper for the big day
Ginger Spice Geri, 52, has so far not mentioned the wedding on her social media while Sporty Spice Mel C, 51, and Posh Spice Victoria, 51, both shared sweet tributes.
Posh, 51, took to Instagram to share a sweet black and white throwback of herself and the bride with bandmates Geri, Mel C and Emma.
She captioned the snap: ‘Congratulations @officalmelb @rorymcphee on your special day! I couldn’t be more excited for you both and wish you a lifetime of happiness! kisses xx’
Meanwhile, Mel C shared a photograph of the newlyweds and gushed in a caption: ‘So so happy for you both and beyond gutted I couldn’t be there. Excited to celebrate with you really soon! Yippee!’
Geri’s no show is said to be down to hers and Mel’s tempestuous relationship.
The two women went to war after Mel revealed during an interview on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories that she had an intimate relationship with Geri when the band was starting out.
Geri was deeply upset by the revelation in 2019, for which Mel has apparently never apologised.
Also in attendance on Mel B’s big day was the bride’s sister Danielle Brown, Daisy Lowe, Katherine Ryan and Gaby Roslin, among others.
While their other bandmates Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell and Melanie Chisholm were absent on the big day – Emma ensured she was there (the band are pictured in 1997)
Ginger Spice Geri (pictured), 52, has so far not mentioned the wedding on her social media while Sporty Spice Mel C, 51, and Posh Spice Victoria, 51, both shared sweet tributes
Meanwhile, Mel’s children Phoenix Chi, Madison and Angel Iris were all smiles as they arrived to see their mother walk down the aisle.
Mel shares her Phoenix, 26, with her first husband Jimmy Gulzar, Angel, 18 – who is a transgender man – with Eddie Murphy.
She welcomed her youngest child, daughter Madison, 13, with her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.
Another notable guest was Mel’s beloved Yorkshire Terrier Cookie, who was said to be the ring bearer at the ceremony.
The Spice Girl will be joined by her guests for a meal, drinks and dancing at the Shangri-La venue inside the building which boasts 95 floors and promises panoramic views over the capital.
There her friends and family will dance into the small hours as the ‘party of the century’ has been promised by the bride and groom.
The Shard stands at 309.6 metres tall and has 95 floors, making it the tallest building in the UK and the fourth tallest in Europe and has in the past held many showbiz parties, including Sony Music’s post BRITs bash.
Mel confirmed she was tying the knot with Rory back in November 2022 after three years of dating after he got down on one knee with a £100k diamond ring.
The singer has credited Rory for making her feel ‘more confident than ever’.
The couple have known each other for years, with Rory having been a family friend and has worked as her hair stylist.
It is Mel’s third time down the aisle. Her first husband was Jimmy Gulzar, who she was married to between 1998 and 2000 (pictured 1999) and shares eldest child Phoenix with
She was later married to Stephen Belafonte (pictured together 2016) before their acrimonious split. They share a daughter Madison
It is the third time that Mel will say ‘I do’ after first marrying Dutch backing dancer Jimmy in 1998.
And when she wed Stephen in 2007, they eloped to Las Vegas before holding a vow renewal in Egypt the following year.
Mel and Stephen separated in 2016 when she accused him of emotional and physical abuse, which he has always denied.
His lawyers said that during the marriage they spent her £50million fortune.
Mel grew close to Rory after the breakdown of her marriage to Stephen.
