Following much speculation, the Spice Girls yesterday confirmed that they will reform to undertake a world tour in December and January of next year, marking their first live performances as a five piece since Geri Halliwell quit the band back in May 1998. They've announced eleven dates, but no venues as yet. There's only one UK gig, set to take place in London.
Geri Halliwell says of the reunion: "I think for us it was about celebrating the past, enjoying each other and it's about our fans. It was the right time".
The famously anti-reunion Mel C, asked why she had agreed to the venture, told reporters: "A girl is allowed to change her mind and also this is something that we have only seriously started this year really. I think really all of us have had our fears and doubts but we feel that the time is right." The singer also said that the band would have liked to have played at the Diana memorial gig this weekend but that the timing was impossible - presumably because Emma Bunton is presently somewhat heavily pregnant.
The tour has been put together, of course, by the band's former manager Simon Fuller. Dates and locations are as follows:
7 Dec: Los Angeles
8 Dec: Las Vegas
11 Dec: New York
15 Dec: London
20 Dec: Cologne
23 Dec: Madrid
10 Jan: Beijing
12 Jan: Hong Kong
17 Jan: Sydney
20 Jan: Cape Town
24 Jan: Buenos Aires