Melanie Brown has hired a top Hollywood lawyer, Don Engel, to fight for child support from Eddie Murphy.

Melanie is around six months pregnant with a baby she claims to be Eddie’s but he revealed earlier this month that he will not believe he is the father of the child until a paternity test is carried out.

A friend of the former Spice Girl told the Mirror: “Mel is refusing to lie down and let Eddie walk all over her - and this is reflected in her choice of lawyer.”

“She wants to hit him where it hurts… in the pocket and they don’t come much better than Don.”

The source added that Melanie is hoping to win up to £15million in lifelong payments for the unborn child but recognises that Eddie will fight her at every step.

The friend added: “She is just as feisty [as Eddie] and is determined to win.”

“A reconciliation is probably out the question after he humiliated her in such a way on television. She has been devastated by what has happened - especially since they had talked about marriage.”

“This is war - and if Eddie doesn’t know it, he will very shortly.”