A 'Scary' Separation

11/18/1998 at 12:00 AM EST

Mel G (aka Scary Spice) of the Spice Girls, is splitting with her husband of 16 months, Jimmy Gulzar. A spokesman for the Spice Girls confirmed reports of the parting to PEOPLE. "I think it is safe to say they didn't have the best Christmas," he said. "Their rowing during the holidays appears to have been the final straw." He added that the custody of their child was not decided but speculated that the Spice Girl will be back to work soon. "Melanie also has to finish off her solo album and I believe she is looking forward to burying herself in her work," he said. No word yet on whether or not she'll revert back to Mel B, her premarital moniker.