Singer Mel C has told how her new music has been inspired by getting bullied.

The former Spice Girl performed a set from Version of Me – her first album in more than four years – at Ronnie Scott’s.

The star, 42, real name Melanie Chisholm, admitted being nervous about going on stage.

“I’m always nervous. When something’s new, you’re nervous about the reaction you’re going to get,” she told the Press Association.

“It’s not in my bones yet. The music’s new and fresh to me as well.”

She said her seventh album tackled difficult times in her own life.

“Most of my inspiration comes from my own life, personal circumstances and situations.

“This is the longest break I’ve ever had between records.

“There have been really big changes in my life. It’s helped make a really strong record.”

Chisholm said that being bullied was something she wanted to tackle in song.

“It’s really sad. We think about bullying when we’re kids at school but a lot of it goes on in adult situations,” she said.

“Even in relationships. It’s something I went through. Version of Me is about being strong and being yourself.

“Although we can heal from those situations and traumas, sometimes it’s still always with you. It makes you who you are.”

She added: “It’s a situation that happened to me as a young adult and that’s as far as I want to go [in talking about it].”

The singer has turned down the chance to take part in the Spice Girls reunion, along with Victoria Beckham, who said that Geri Horner, Emma Bunton and Mel B should sing new songs.

“When you talk about the Spice Girls, you’re talking about the five of us,” the singer said.

Asked whether the remaining Spice Girls should stick to new material, the singer said: “Geri, Emma and Melanie are going to celebrate the anniversary together. They’ve been very respectful of me going on to continue my solo career. I’ve got the same respect for them. Let’s see what the future holds.”