Melanie Chisholm, known to fans as Sporty Spice, has married Australian model Chris Dingwall in a ceremony held at the Country House Cumbria in the Lake District. The 52-year-old singer was the last of the Spice Girls to wed.
Chisholm wore a simple, floor-length white gown and carried a wildflower bouquet. Her bandmates Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown, and Geri Halliwell-Horner were in attendance. Victoria Beckham was unable to attend due to commitments in the United States.
Guests described the ceremony as 'perfect,' with Chisholm's 17-year-old daughter, Scarlett, serving as a bridesmaid. A brief, unexpected interruption occurred when a herd of cows from a nearby farm approached the venue during the vows.
The couple aimed for an 'intimate' and 'understated' wedding. The Country House Cumbria, owned by West End actor Ben Forster and property developer Paul Longman, is described as a secluded and picturesque setting.
Chisholm met Dingwall in 2023 via the dating app Raya. She has spoken about finding unexpected happiness in her relationship with Dingwall, previously believing marriage was not in her future. She noted that elements of her recent album were inspired by falling in love with him.
In past interviews, Chisholm reflected on her struggles with loneliness and depression during the height of the Spice Girls' fame, noting that while other band members were in relationships, she often felt alone. This period contributed to her battles with depression and intensified issues with binge drinking and eating, as detailed in her 2022 memoir. She mentioned that her recovery was a long process, often undertaken while continuing her solo career.
Chisholm has had several high-profile past relationships, including a brief romance with Robbie Williams in 1997 and a four-month relationship with J Brown from the band 5ive in 2000. She remains friends with Brown.