Spice Girl Melanie C's new husband, Chris Dingwall, was previously married to Australian actress Tamara Salamacha. Their marriage, which began in their early twenties, ended approximately 15 years ago, with sources indicating that differences in life goals contributed to the separation.
Dingwall, 47, who recently married the 52-year-old singer in a ceremony in the English countryside, met Salamacha after a chance encounter in Barcelona. The couple lived in London for several years while Salamacha pursued her Master's degree and also spent time traveling the world together. They also resided with Dingwall's late mother, Kerry, while saving for a home in Sydney.
Salamacha described their divorce as difficult but recalled their time together fondly. "We weren't looking for anything, we just met and fell in love," she told the Daily Mail. She indicated that Dingwall's ambition to become an actor in Hollywood played a role in their diverging paths. "He went off to LA to pursue his stuff and I did a bit of travel. He was headed on his own path," she explained.
While Salamacha remained somewhat reserved about the specific reasons for their split, hinting that "divorce is s**t and it's hard and there's not really one reason that contributes to it," a former friend of the couple suggested the separation was less amicable than portrayed. This friend claimed Dingwall's pursuit of a Hollywood career created a wedge in their relationship.
Salamacha has since remarried and has two children, a contrast to her previous life in the entertainment industry. She has shifted her focus to the not-for-profit sector. She expressed well wishes for the newlyweds, noting that "Mel seems like a lovely woman. When we were younger, Sporty was always his favourite spice."
Dingwall and Melanie C, known as Sporty Spice, met on the celebrity dating app Raya three years ago, with their first date taking place in Sydney. The couple became public with their relationship after being spotted together at Glastonbury Festival in June 2024. Dingwall proposed to Melanie C in July 2025 during a trip to Mallorca, Spain. The singer, who had previously expressed reservations about marriage, reportedly had a change of heart.
Friends of Dingwall describe him as having a calm and contented personality, noting his transformation into a "silver fox" as he aged. His career in acting reportedly saw a turning point after he secured a "top agent" in Los Angeles, with early roles capitalizing on his distinguished look. He is described as not seeking the limelight, preferring a more low-profile existence despite being associated with a high-profile star.