Meant to B

Pals certain hairdresser Rory will be a cut above star's exes

- TOM BRYANT

WHEN Mel B walks down the aisle at St Paul's Cathedral today, friends believe it really will be third time lucky for the Spice Girl.

The 50-year-old, who has been married twice before, is marrying hairstylist Rory McPhee, 37, who pals say is “as un-showbiz as they come”.

“It’s why everyone thinks that they get on so well... and why he is so good for Melanie,’ said one confidante.

“He doesn't come from that fake entertainment world. He is down to earth, family orientated and just a normal bloke.”

The couple's connection runs deep, all the way to childhood. Mel's cousin Christian Cooke was friends with Rory at school and he has “always been on the outer edges of her life”.

The pal said: “It's why this is almost certainly going to be a happy ever after. It's as if the universe was just waiting for them to properly connect and fall in love.”

Other friends of the singer have described Rory, who works at his family-owned hair salon in Leeds, as “not your typical alpha male” that Mel has been attracted to in the past.

They added: “He is humble, kind, cooks roast dinners for her... it’s as far removed from her usual type that you can imagine.”