A family source close to Eddie Murphy has poured scorn on his “relationship” with Spice Girl Mel B, claiming the pair only slept together three times.

The source adds that fact meant the actor was shocked when Mel fell pregnant with his child, and led to Murphy famously forcing their daughter to undergo a paternity test.

They tell the News Of The World, “It wasn't a passionate relationship. They slept together just three times.

"That's why he was stunned when she announced she was pregnant after they split.

He truly did not believe it was his child. As they only had sex a few times, and she'd promised she had a contraceptive coil fitted, Eddie was certain it couldn't be his."

The family member adds that Eddie thinks Mel even purposefully gave birth to nine-month-old Angel on his birthday - 15 April - on purpose, and he’s refuses to see the child because of the popstar’s behaviour.

“Angel was due on April 15th but Eddie's birthday is on April 3rd and he firmly believes she purposely made an appointment to have a premature Caesarean section so that she could give birth that day,” the source explains.

“Now he says he'll never again be able to enjoy his birthday as he'll just be thinking of all the hurt she's caused him.

"It's all so sad because there's an innocent little girl involved here but Eddie is adamant that the two of them mean nothing to him - and I can't see a time when he'll ever forgive Mel.”