The Sun newspaper reported Bunton, Geri Halliwell, Mel C and Mel B will reform for an international tour next year, without former band member Victoria Beckham. But Emma Bunton, aka Baby Spice, has cast doubt on reports that The Spice Girls are set to reunite.
She said on her Heart London radio breakfast show yesterday: “If anything happens and it’s concrete, and we decide on something, I will let you know, but nothing’s happening at the moment.” She also responded to the claims on Twitter, teasing: “Do I need to put my pigtails in?!?!?" Mel C, aka Sporty Spice, tweeted: “Woke up this morning wondering whether I need to start practising my backflips???!!!”
Mel B shared a picture of herself as Scary Spice on Instagram with the caption “The world deserves to hear your voice! #BeLoud #Tbt” Halliwell, who celebrated her birthday on Thursday, is yet to comment. 2016 will see the 20th anniversary of the band's debut single Wannabe which was released in 1996 and catapulted the five-piece to global stardom. Rumours of an anniversary reunion have been circulating for some time.
Together Ginger, Posh, Baby, Scary and Sporty sold more than 75 million records and had nine number ones. Their debut album, Spice, made them the fastest-selling British act since the Beatles. But despite their rapid success, relations within the group became increasingly fractious. Halliwell quit the band in 1998.
The group continued as a quartet for a time but by 2001 they had dissolved and were working on their solo careers. After much speculation they reformed for a money-spinning 47- date tour which began in 2007. As it closed, the girls acknowledged there would be no more.
But the quintet reunited to perform together again at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 olympics. They also gathered together to launch a stage musical inspired by their songs called Viva Forever.
What have the girls been up to?
Since the Spice Girls broke up, the five members have made their mark in music, television and fashion.
■ Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice, who was first to leave the band in 1998, went on to launch a successful early solo career.
■ Emma Bunton aka Baby Spice claimed the number-one spot with her debut single What Took You So Long? shortly after the band split.
■ Melanie Chisholm, aka Sporty Spice, hit the ground running following the band’s split, dueting with Bryan Adams on the number- three hit When You’re Gone. She has since released six albums and had two number ones.
■ Melanie Brown, aka Scary Spice, enjoyed a number-one hit with I Want You Back when she collaborated with US artist Missy Elliott. Mel B has built up a successful television career, judging the UK X Factor.
■ Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, had a short-lived solo career, which included a number- two hit with Dane Bowers. In 2000, her true calling was fashion. She made her catwalk debut during London Fashion Week in 2000, launched her clothing range VB in 2008 and unveiled the more affordable Victoria by Victoria Beckham label four years later.