London:
Mel C saved her brother's life when she realised he had diabetes.
The former Spice Girls singer helped save Paul O'Neill from a coma when she noticed he was showing symptoms of the disease - where the body fails to produce or process insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels - on a family holiday to Mauritius.
The 38-year-old singer recalled to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Paul is a really bubbly person - always laughing, joking, and great fun.
"But on that holiday, in January 2004, we all noticed how down and lethargic he was.
"He was sleeping a lot and losing weight despite downing huge bottles of Coke from the minibar.
"But it wasn't until we got home and he started telling me about other symptoms that it all fell into place."
Paul, now 32, complained of excessive thirst, constantly needing the toilet and blurred vision - symptoms Mel recognised from a diabetic member of the Spice Girls' office staff.
Racecar driver Paul commented: "I'm so grateful to Mel for insisting I go to the doctor. I was on the verge of going into a coma.
"I now know that delaying treatment for type 1 diabetes can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, a potentially life-threatening complication."
Mel - who recently split from long-term partner Thomas Starr, the father of her three-year-old daughter Scarlet - supported Paul when his dream career came to halt after strict health regulations meant he temporarily lost his racing license for six months.
Although the Viva Forever singer was initially "devastated", she is now proud that Paul's positive attitude hasn't let his condition control his life.
She explained: "He's very much in control of his condition. And I'm so proud that he's turned something so negative into a positive."
The former Spice Girls singer helped save Paul O'Neill from a coma when she noticed he was showing symptoms of the disease - where the body fails to produce or process insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels - on a family holiday to Mauritius.
The 38-year-old singer recalled to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Paul is a really bubbly person - always laughing, joking, and great fun.
"But on that holiday, in January 2004, we all noticed how down and lethargic he was.
"He was sleeping a lot and losing weight despite downing huge bottles of Coke from the minibar.
"But it wasn't until we got home and he started telling me about other symptoms that it all fell into place."
Paul, now 32, complained of excessive thirst, constantly needing the toilet and blurred vision - symptoms Mel recognised from a diabetic member of the Spice Girls' office staff.
Racecar driver Paul commented: "I'm so grateful to Mel for insisting I go to the doctor. I was on the verge of going into a coma.
"I now know that delaying treatment for type 1 diabetes can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, a potentially life-threatening complication."
Mel - who recently split from long-term partner Thomas Starr, the father of her three-year-old daughter Scarlet - supported Paul when his dream career came to halt after strict health regulations meant he temporarily lost his racing license for six months.
Although the Viva Forever singer was initially "devastated", she is now proud that Paul's positive attitude hasn't let his condition control his life.
She explained: "He's very much in control of his condition. And I'm so proud that he's turned something so negative into a positive."
