Mel C admits her daughter is a 'handful' as she gives rare insight into life as a parent

Melanie C has opened up about the relationship she has with her daughter Scarlet in a recent interview, in which she teased that the teenager can sometimes be a "handful".

The singer-songwriter, 48, may be best known to fans for having been one fifth of pop group Spice Girls, but to her teenage daughter she's a mother and "best friend."

Mum Mel has rarely spoken about her experience as a parent to Scarlet – whom she shares with her ex-partner Thomas Starr, now 55 – over recent years, including in an interview this month.

The mother-of-one, who is also known as Sporty Spice, revealed that whilst her daughter is "absolutely wonderful" like other teenagers, she can be a "handful" at times, too.

Mel C has spoken about her experience as a parent (Getty)

Mel C told OK! : "Any parents of teenagers will know exactly how much of a handful they can be. But she’s absolutely wonderful. She really is my best friend."

The Celebrity Gogglebox alum also spoke about whether she could imagine Scarlet following in her footsteps as a musician – with her suggesting that it doesn't seem that way.

She explained in the interview: "Scarlet's not a singer and she's not sporty." Mel added: "She's on her own path. Where that will lead, who knows? But I'm very proud of her."

She's best known to fans as one fifth of the Spice Girls (Getty Images)

Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror here .

Brit Award winner Mel C currently splits her time between the UK and the US as she juggles her music career alongside being a mum to daughter Scarlet.

Aside from her work with the Spice Girls, Mel has enjoyed success as a solo artist – having released eight studio albums and a number of singles since her debut in 1999.

Mel C was known as Sporty Spice within the group (PA)

Mel previously opened up about how becoming a parent had changed her outlook on life, telling the BBC almost two years ago that it had been "so liberating" to her.

"For the first time in my adult life, it wasn't all about me. It made me not only realise I had a huge responsibility to her but I have a huge responsibility to myself," she had said.

The performer said that becoming a parent made her realise that she had a responsibility to be a teacher to her daughter, which meant she had to "treat [herself] better."

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.