Mel B pulls out all the stops in Dancing with the Stars

Mel B pulled out all the stops to ensure she is no ballroom flash in the pan.

Scary Spice performed the splits mid-air - TWICE - on Dancing with the Stars, showing off sparkly black knickers to an open-mouthed audience.

The singer, real name Melanie Brown, sits at the top of the leader board on the show finale, and could be crowned champion if the public vote goes her way.

Mel, 32, danced twice on the penultimate US reality show, performing both a Cha Cha and freestyle routine with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. The judges told her the dances were not up to her usual high standards - but still gave her a 55 out of 60 points.

The Cha Cha saw the Spice Girl begin the routine on hubby Stephen Belafonte's lap, with Maksim pulling her free. For the freestyle dance, the singer straddled a chair and wowed the Los Angeles audience with impressive lifts and the splits.

Indy Car star Helio Castroneves is hot on Mel's heels to be crowned champion, with 54 out of 60 points from the judges. While audience favourite Marie Osmond was awarded a lower score of 46.

Earlier in the day, Maksim slammed Marie - claiming she did no deserve her place in the final. "I think Jennie [Garth] was better than Marie. Frankly, I think there are a lot of other people better than Marie," he told entertainment show Extra.

The professional dancer hinted that Marie had won the sympathy vote following the death of her father and her on-air fainting episode earlier in the series. "I think she represents a lot of women out there with all their problems," he said.

"I know first hand that there are a lot of other celebrities on the show who went through somewhat similar situations this season and they decided not to make it public... we decided not to burden people with our personal issues. "I think that is why our fan base carries us through because they vote for our dancing not whatever happens in our life."

The Dancing with the Stars winner will be revealed on US television tonight (Tuesday).