Melanie Brown has defeated a custody challenge by ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar over their eight year old daughter, Phoenix.

Mel was granted full custody of the girl when the couple divorced in 2000 but Jimmy has now complained that Mel’s current involvement with the Spice Girls comeback tour has disrupted his visitation schedule.

Jimmy, a former dancer, took the case to the Los Angeles County Superior Court last week but the judge presiding over the case, Judge Robert Schnider, has ruled that Phoenix should be allowed to accompany her mum around the world, with Mel retaining sole physical and legal custody.

Jimmy’s access over the next few months will now be rescheduled but as a compromise, will include a visit on Phoenix’s 9th birthday in February.