Former Spice Girl Mel C has been named Tesco’s Celebrity Mum of the Year.

The singer said she was “proud and humbled” to win and said she was looking forward to joining the other winners at the awards next month.

The 39-year-old mother of one said: “There are millions of inspirational mums out there, doing incredible things to help others, so it’s fantastic to be involved with something that celebrates this.”

The star, who gave birth to daughter Scarlet four years ago, said becoming a mother changed everything.

She said: “I’m so much happier, more confident and courageous and it’s all thanks to Scarlet. Being with my family is the most important thing in my life... Being a mum might not be easy, but it’s definitely the most rewarding job in the world.” (AP)

The world’s highest gig

Eighties chart stars including Tony Hadley and Kim Wilde are to try to set a new world record for the world’s highest gig.

They are aiming to perform aboard an airliner at an altitude of 43,000 feet (13,106 metres) next month in an effort to raise money for charity. Hadley is due to perform songs made famous by his band Spandau Ballet, whose hits included True and I’ll Fly For You, when he performs on a British Airways Boeing 767 on March 10 in the build-up to Red Nose Day.

The concert will also feature Bananarama and Go West.

The current high-flying Guinness World Record was set by James Blunt, who performed at just over 42,000 feet (12,802 metres). (PA)

‘So good to speak again’

A man who was left brain-damaged and paralysed after a vicious attack has been able to communicate for the first time in 20 years. Kevin Beverley, from Barnsley in the UK, was left severely injured after an unprovoked attack in his home town two decades ago.

His injuries included severe brain damage, broken bones, right side paralysis and loss of speech, meaning he could only communicate by making noises and gestures.

But now the 55-year-old who attends the Carlton Centre in Barnsley, is able to speak to his family and carers through the use of an iPad.

He touches the screen to form words, and at the end of the first day he typed this message: “It is so good to be able to speak again.” (AP)

Fake monks con tourists

China says two temples on a sacred Buddhist mountain have been shut down and six people arrested after fake monks reportedly deceived tourists into donating money.

The Mount Wutai Administration Bureau closed two of the mountain’s dozens of temples and revoked their business licences, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Mount Wutai is on Unesco’s World Heritage List.

Xinhua said the six people were arrested over illegal funding and that the temples had reportedly hired fake monks to con tourists into buying expensive incense and paying unreasonable amounts of money for ceremonies.

Last year, the government’s religious affairs office called on local authorities to ban profiteering related to religious activity. (PA)

Mystery slime baffles boffins

A weird “slime” is baffling boffins at a nature reserve.

The jelly-like substance has been found at the RSPB Ham Wall nature reserve in Somerset, and has yet to be identified.

Site manager Steve Hughes said: “We’ve asked experts what it might be, but as yet no one is really sure. Whatever it is, it’s very weird.”

One explanation is that it is a form of cyanobacteria called Nostoc. But some experts suggest that it is the remains of the regurgitated innards of amphibians such as frogs and toads, and of their spawn. Members of the public have been warned not to touch the mystery substance. (PA)