Melanie Brown has signed a new recording deal ahead of a planned comeback at the end of the year (12).

The former Spice Girls singer pursued a solo career after the British band split in 2000, but she took time out to focus on her family and reality show following the release of her 2005 album L.A. State of Mind.

Brown has now thrilled fans by announcing she has signed a deal with EMI Music Australia ahead of a planned release at the end of 2012.

In the message, posted on her site on Saturday (31Mar12), the star reveals, "I'm overly excited to finally announce this amazing global partnership deal back home with EMI Music. I know I have mentioned doing music in the past but for legal reasons I was not in a position to release any new music.

"For my fans, I am happy and proud to say my music will be heard this year and that is for sure a promise I'm over the moon to say the least. Love me or hate me, Scary Spice is back, hahahaha!!!"