Although we knew he was the baby’s daddy, Eddie Murphy formally acknowledged he is the father of Melanie Brown’s daughter last Friday. And I’m not surprised. His admission comes a day after “Scary Spice” took legal action to establish him as the child’s parent. According to a statement by his publicist, “Eddie always has and will continue to honor his responsibilities as a father.” Now he is, but I don’t remember him stepping up to the plate when this all started!

“Mr. Murphy and Ms. Brown dated very briefly and never made any plans of ANY sort,” the statement said. “He acknowledges paternity of the child Angel, and has paid child support to Ms. Brown as well as covering the expenses of her pregnancy.” Brown, aka Scary Spice, filed a petition Thursday that seeks to legally establish Murphy as the father. She said she and Murphy dated for four months in 2006 before mutually deciding to have a child.

“Angel is my baby and Eddie’s,” said Brown, 32. “She will always know that she was planned and wanted by both of us.”

Angel Iris Murphy Brown was born April 3. Brown also has an 8-year-old daughter.