Mel B has left her husband.

The pair are believed to have rowed heavily last week just before Mel was hospitalised with crippling stomach pains on Thursday.

A source revealed: "Mel’s marriage has reached crisis point - in fact it’s on life support. She has told friends it is over with Stephen.

"It was a very symbolic gesture when she removed her wedding ring before appearing on 'The X Factor' final on Sunday night.

"She knew what she was doing and wanted to send Stephen a clear message about her feelings."

The 39-year-old singer - who has Madison, three with Stephen and Phoenix Chi, 15 and Angel, seven from previous relationships - was reportedly forced to suffer her hospital stint on her own, with Stephen not calling or visiting her once.

The source continued: "Mel hasn’t spoken to Stephen once since her admission to hospital last week and as it stands she doesn’t want to see him.

"He didn’t come to the hospital at all. It’s a very sad state of affairs given she could have died.

"Everyone around her is encouraging her to stay strong and to leave him for good this time because they don’t believe their relationship is healthy."

It has not been confirmed whether the couple's split is permanent but Mel's friends are encouraging her to "take time out".

The source added to The Sun newspaper: “Things have been very rocky over the last few weeks but Mel had been trying to put it all to one side so she could focus on Andrea [Faustini; her 'X Factor'

contestant] and the show.

"Last week everything escalated and there were a number of very big rows before Mel ended up in hospital.

"Her stress levels are very high and most of her good friends and colleagues were encouraging her to take time out from Stephen.

"That’s now what she’s doing, but the question is for how long?"