Mel B threw water in Simon Cowell's face and stormed off set after he made joke about her wedding night

Mel B's reputation as Scary Spice is not up for debate, after she threw water in Simon Cowell's face and stormed off the set of America's Got Talent.

Though, depending on who you ask, Cowell may have been asking for it.

The fiery moment came on a live show of the long running talent competition back in August 2017, after a magic act went wrong on stage.

Giving feedback to the crestfallen contestant, Cowell made a cheeky dig at his fellow judge.

The 63-year-old music mogul said: "I'm kind of imagining this would be like Mel B's wedding night. A lot of anticipation..."

Before Cowell could proceed further with his remark, the audience erupted in jeers and Mel B sprung into action to get her own back.

The former Spice Girl seized her cup of water and hurled it over Cowell, drenching him.

NBC

As the audience applauded her feisty rebuttal, Mel B stormed away from the judge's table, shaking her head as she made her swift exit.

Cowell added: "A lot of anticipation, not much promise or delivery."

Host Tyra Banks then said: "Mel B is out! This is live TV y'all, this is live TV!"

At some point over the advert break, the judges made up as Mel B was back in her seat and Cowell appeared to be dry after his splashing.

Mel B even made reference to the incident later in the show, when she remarked: "I've gone from crying one night to being angry at Simon..."

NBC

At the time of the show's airing, Mel B was going through a contentious divorce with her second husband Stephen Belafonte.

The two wed in June 2007, before welcoming their child, Madison Brown Belafonte, in September 2011.

In December 2016, the couple separated, before Mel B filed for divorce in March the following year, accusing her ex-husband of physical and emotional abuse.

Belafonte's representatives accused his ex-wife in court of overspending, claiming that she had 'wiped out all her Spice Girls money - approximately $50 million (£40 million), if not more'.

The divorce was finalised in December 2017, with Mel B citing the experience - alongside the death of her father - as her reason for seeking treatment for PTSD.

NBC

Since November 2018, she has been an ambassador for the domestic violence survivors' charity Women's Aid.

With all of that in mind, it's understandable why she wouldn't have been particularly amused by Cowell's remarks in relation to her marriage.

Cowell may have a reputation for being a reality show villain, but he finally met his match when he crossed Scary Spice.