Mel B. joins 'Access Hollywood' team

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Former "Dancing with the Stars" contender Melanie Brown has signed on to cover the new season of the U.S. show as a guest correspondent for "Access Hollywood."

"Access Hollywood" executive producer Rob Silverstein said Brown, who has been touring with her pop group the Spice Girls, will begin her new gig on his entertainment news program March 17.

"'Access Hollywood' has a fun energy that I am excited to be a part of," Brown said in a statement. "I had such a wonderful experience on 'Dancing with the Stars' last season and I'm looking forward to talking to all of this year's contestants about their journeys and experiences along the way and dropping in on all their rehearsals, but this time on the side of the mic."

"We are more than excited to have the 'spice' that Mel brings," Silverstein said. "She has a magnetic and endearing personality and she knows first-hand what all these contestants are going through, which will make for some fun and candid interviews."