Former Spice Girls superstar Melanie Chisholm, known worldwide as Mel C, has shared the heartwarming story of how she found love with an Australian partner through an unexpected digital matchmaker.
From Hesitation to 'Boy Bingo'
The 51-year-old pop icon revealed her romantic journey during a candid conversation on the popular Australian podcast Life Uncut with hosts Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne. Mel C admitted she had been initially reluctant to return to dating after ending her long-term relationship with manager Joe Marshall in 2022.
"It took some encouragement from friends during a night out to finally take the plunge," the mother-of-one explained. She decided to try the exclusive celebrity dating platform Raya, describing the experience light-heartedly as playing "boy bingo."
Meeting Her Australian Match
Her swipe-right moment came when she matched with Sydney-based model and actor Chris Dingwall. The pair arranged their first dinner date in November 2023 when Mel C was in Australia for a DJ tour.
The singer shared that she was looking for something different from her previous relationships. "I wanted someone supportive who had their own life - separate but not interfering, and definitely not 'under my feet'," she told the podcast hosts.
Mel C confirmed that Chris ticked all the boxes from their very first meeting, and they've been together ever since.
A Quiet Romance Goes Public
After months of keeping their relationship private, the couple made their first public appearance together in July 2024 at the prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament.
The Spice Girl spoke fondly of her Australian beau, describing him as "a real gentle soul" who is "quietly in the sidelines being uber-supportive." She added simply, "He's wonderful."
Mel C's connection to Australia has strengthened following her role as a coach on the most recent season of The Voice Australia, making her cross-continental romance with Dingwall even more meaningful.
