Geri Horner is "devastated" after the sudden death of her brother Max Halliwell.

Geri Horner has suffered a devastating loss

Geri Horner has suffered a devastating loss

The Spice Girls star, 49, was said to be "incredibly close" to her brother Max, 54, who is said to have died in intensive care after suddenly collapsing at home.

A source told The Sun: "This is the most awful, devastating, heart breaking news and Geri is utterly broken by it. It has been a terribly traumatic time since the moment she heard Max had been taken to hospital, and the worst outcome which everybody close to the family hoped might not be. They are all rallying together but she barely knows what to say or think just now - she loved him dearly.”

Police confirmed that Max - who worked for a technology firm - was taken to hospital after being found at home.

In a statement, Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "Police were called at 9.40am on Wednesday 17 November to report the concern for welfare of a man at a residential property in Berkhamsted. Officers, along with the East of England Ambulance Service, attended the scene. The man was located and taken to hospital for treatment, where he sadly later died. His death is being treated as non-suspicious and will be referred to the coroner."

A spokesman for Geri - who shot to fame as Ginger Spice in the 1990s girl group the Spice Girls and is now married to Formula 1 boss Christian Horner - asked for the star's privacy.

They said: "As you can imagine this is a difficult time and we would ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time."