MOBO AWARDS: MEL B'S BLIND PANIC

MEL B threw MOBO bosses into a panic after she left her contact lenses in LA.

The one-time Scary Spice dashed to a shop to get a spare pair so she could read the autocue at the Wembley gig.

Flabbergasted Mel, 33, told me: “I was late for rehearsals as I had to get to an opticians. I wouldn’t have been able to present the show if I couldn’t read it.”

Fortunately, the replacement contacts did the trick.

Mel, who presided over the bash – which saw Estelle, 28, Leona Lewis and Dizzee Rascal, both 23 – go home with gongs, told me: “I was so excited. I remember when it first started and all the work the organisers did in getting it off the ground.

“I can hardly believe it’s so big now. British music of black origin is doing amazingly right now and it’s exciting people in the States. We have our own little patch over there. I’m really proud.”

Meanwhile, Mel spoke about turning down the X Factor gig that has made a national treasure out of Cheryl Cole, 25.

She told me: “I was asked but I just couldn’t do it at the time. I had two other work commitments. But if I could guest as a judge, that might be good.

“I’ve heard good things about Cheryl. She is someone who says it how it is.

“I might be too honest though. I wouldn’t deliberately hurt somebody but I would say what I thought.

“I may have said a few things that hurt people in the past when I opened my gob too much, but over the years I’ve grown up.”

And while she rules out another Spice Girls reunion, Mel is full of love for namesake Mel C, 34.

She said: “I’m so excited she’s going to be a mum and is getting married. She’s the last of us to have a baby and it will be great.

“She’s bound to ask about help with the wedding and I’d love to.”