‘It was a dream come true’: Leeds superfan meets Mel B after opening up about early menopause

A lifelong Spice Girls superfan was left in tears after meeting her childhood idol Mel B and being treated to a surprise shopping spree at Boots in Leeds.

Claire Blackburn, from Leeds, has spent the past few months building an online community to support women experiencing menopause after struggling with the condition herself at just 37.

Now, she is raising awareness of menopause symptoms, helping others feel less alone.

But Claire was recently given a dream day of her own after being invited to meet Mel B at a Revive Collagen event at Trinity Leeds.

She has loved the Spice Girls since childhood, spending sleepovers, school talent shows and birthday parties singing their songs and recreating their dance routines with friends.

Having seen the group perform in 2019, she never imagined she would one day meet one of its members in person.

Claire told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I was the only one that cried when I met her.

“It was just a dream come true, I could not believe it.”

And the surprise did not end with the meet and greet. After becoming emotional while looking through the photographs on her phone, Claire was approached by a member of the Boots social media team and asked if she would like to join Mel B on a shopping spree.

The pair were filmed walking around the shop as Claire picked out products, with the singer generously filling her basket with products.

Despite being a lifelong fan, Claire admitted the excitement left her struggling to find the words.

“My legs literally felt like jelly, I was shaking,” she said.

“I could not think of anything to say, she was asking me what brands I liked, and I could not even remember my own name, let alone what I wanted.”

But beyond the unforgettable day is a personal journey that has seen Claire turn a difficult experience with menopause into a source of support for other women.

After struggling with endometriosis from a young age, Claire underwent several procedures before eventually being diagnosed with the condition.

Following treatment that included a chemically induced menopause, she underwent a hysterectomy and had her ovaries removed at the age of 37.

Although the treatment helped manage her symptoms, Claire said she felt unprepared for the menopause and struggled with feelings of loneliness and isolation.

She told the YEP: “At the age of 37, there weren’t a lot of people my age experiencing it that I knew of.”

Determined to help other women feel less alone, Claire launched her Instagram account, life_beyondthefog, in July to share her experiences, raise awareness and encourage women to speak openly about menopause.

She now receives messages from women who have found comfort in her posts, including one who said Claire’s content gave her the confidence to speak to her GP, leading to a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

“Sometimes there is a stigma around menopause, especially in younger women, and people try to hide it.

“I want to make these conversations more normal, so women feel more confident talking about it and don’t feel like they’re going through it alone.”

Her work has also helped her rebuild her own confidence. Claire said her anxiety had once become so severe that she needed adjustments at work to allow her to work from home.

Posting her first video was a daunting step, but the response from other women encouraged her to keep going.

“From where I was a year ago to where I am now is unbelievable,” she said.

“The more people message me saying they relate to what I’m saying and that my experiences have helped them, the more it has spurred me on.”

And for the devoted fan, there was no question which Spice Girl she would have wanted to meet the most.

“She’s a Leeds girl,” Claire said.

“If I had to have met any of them, it would have been Mel B, so I’m extremely happy.”