X Factor’s Natalie Bassingthwaighte: Mel B is a trooper

Natalie Bassingthwaighte has revealed that she thinks Mel B is a “trooper”. The Australian singer and television presenter, who is a judge on The X Factor alongside Mel B, said that she is impressed with the former Spice Girl for returning to work so soon after giving birth to third daughter Madison.

Bassingthwaighte told OK! magazine: “I felt for her, because I remember being so pregnant on [So You Think You Can] Dance and it’s exhausting. She was a trooper and now to be back two weeks after giving birth! Not in a million years would I have wanted to do that.”

The former Neighbours actress recently revealed that she considered quitting showbiz after giving birth to daughter Harper 13 months ago.

Mel B and Bassingthwaighte fell out last month after Mel B said that her co-judge was “dishonest” with X Factor contestants because she couldn’t tell them the truth about their singing ability.

Bassingthwaighte hit back at her comments, saying that she deserved “a slap”, but has now said: “I probably am too nice. I don’t think that’s such a bad thing, Mel B!”

Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Scanpix/ Getty Images/ Gaye Gerard)