SCHOOL FOR GERI HALLIWELL NOT SPICEY

Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell was very ashamed of her "humble background" when she was at school and is insisting she was bullied over her family’s bad financial situation. The star, who grew up in Hertfordshire, England, admits she was "embarrassed" that her family were not wealthy and claims she was treated badly by her fellow schoolmates because of it. She says, "There was a girl at school who threatened to throw me over the railway tracks. I maybe didn’t’ think of myself as a misfit but I came from a humble background. "My parents didn’t have much money and my Dad would drop me off in this old Mazda car. It was really old and I’d feel a little embarrassed."Your whole world at that age is based on those stupid things and if anything’s different you think, ‘Shame.’"

THE SPICE GIRLS MILLION DOLLAR DEAL

The Spice Girls

The Spice Girls have been offered a huge million dollar deal to extend their current world tour.The band are reportedly set to sign up for 12 live shows in Australia in an agreement that could net them a further $4 million bucks each. The Spice Girls are currently in the middle of performing a 17-date residency at London’s O2 Arena, they will then head to Manchester, England, for three more dates before concluding their reunion run with a second North American stint, concluding in Toronto, Canada, in February. However, the group is now said to be considering extending the run until March with extra shows in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. A source tells the British newspaper The Sun, "The girls have a massive fan base in Australia and a huge amount of cash is being thrown at them to get them to perform there. "Everyone in Oz has been reading about the show and now want a piece of the action."

MEL B. PINCHES SPICE GIRLS BUTTS

Mel B pinches her fellow Spice Girls' butts on stage. Scary Spice is so excited about being reunited with her band mates - Emma Bunton, Mel C, Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell - she can't help but show her affection in her trademark outrageous fashion. Emma said: "Mel B has got this thing at the moment for pinching all of our bottoms - it really makes us giggle!" The blonde star, also known as Baby Spice, admitted there is one major disadvantage to not performing as a band for nine years - she keeps forgetting the lyrics to their famous songs. Emma added on the official Spice Girls blog: "With each show I'm getting more and more confident with singing live but during 'Mama' the other day I got so carried away looking at the video playing behind us of all the mother and babies that I forgot the lyrics!" The girls are currently in Los Angeles for the latest leg of their 'Return of the Spice Girls' tour.

SPICE GIRLS NEED JUMBO JET NAMED

The Spice Girls

Spice Girls fans are to name a jumbo jet after the girl group. Airline Virgin Atlantic, as part of their partnership with the 'Return of the Spice Girls' world tour, has asked fans to give a title to the band's personal plane in a new competition. The girls, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Mel B, Geri Halliwell and Mel C, have given fans three choices for the name - Spice One, Girl Power or Spice Girl. After all the votes are counted, one lucky winner will be picked at random to fly out to the US to meet the girls and see the aircraft unveiled in an official naming ceremony in December. Virgin Atlantic President Sir Richard Branson said: "We're delighted to offer one of our planes for the unique ceremony, especially since the name will be chosen by Spice Girls fans worldwide. "Whichever name wins, one thing is for sure, you would be plane crazy to miss out on the opportunity to take part!" Fans can vote for their favourite through the Spice Girls official website, www.thespicegirls.com. The competition closes on December 5. The group won't be the first stars to have a Virgin plane named after them. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer unveiled 'Claudia Nine' in 2002, while British monarch Queen Elizabeth II named an A340-600 plane 'Queen of the Skies' during an official visit to France.

SPICE GIRLS MAKE THEIR COMEBACK

The 'Spice Girls' are back

The Spice Girls made their live comeback at the Victoria's Secret fashion show the other night. The reunited girl group - Victoria Beckham, Mel B, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Mel C - stepped on stage as a five-piece for the first time in nine years to perform two songs at the annual event in Los Angeles. The girls, dressed in tight military-style outfits, debuted new song 'Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)' and classic hit 'Stop' in front of a star-studded audience at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. However, the group - who sang live at every concert of their 1998 world tour - lip-synced the two songs. Geri - who quit the band in 1998 - said the appearance had been a "good warm-up" for their forthcoming world tour, which stars in Vancouver, Canada, on December 2. She also promised fans the new concerts would be "full of drama", while Emma revealed the set list will include "all our old classics". She added: "I'm having the best time." Earlier in the evening, Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am performed in place of hip-hop star Kanye West, who withdrew from the event following the death of his mother. Seal and wife Heidi Klum, a Victoria's Secret model, also performed a duet together.

MEL C. CLAIMS THEY STILL HAVE SPICE

Mel C claims the Spice Girls all still live up to their famous nicknames. The singer, who was christened Sporty in the band's heyday, says while she and the rest of the girls - Victoria 'Posh' Beckham, Emma 'Baby' Bunton, Mel 'Scary' B and Geri 'Ginger' Halliwell' - have matured in the past nine years they still have their distinctive personalities. Mel C said: "Mel B isn't as scary as she used to be, she's definitely mellowed somewhat. But she's still very feisty. Ginger is a little bit lighter now, her hair is a little bit more golden. Baby's always going to be the baby, she's the youngest. And Victoria is very posh." Mel C, who was initially reluctant to reform the band, is now really looking forward to the girls' reunion tour, which starts in Vancouver, Canada, on December 2. She said: "This is our final farewell. We wanted an opportunity to get together to really celebrate everything we've achieved and give a great big thank you to our fans. "We just want to make this the best pop show that a British band has ever put on." Before the world tour starts, the band will appear at a fashion show for lingerie chain Victoria's Secret, in which they will be wearing some of the firm's sexy underwear. She added to US TV show 'E!': "We're going to be performing one of our old songs and one of our new songs, 'Headlines', and it's going to be very beautiful. "We're hoping to get ourselves into some Victoria's Secret underwear for the show." The girls have signed an exclusive deal with Victoria's Secret to sell their greatest hits album exclusively through the lingerie chain.

THE SPICE GIRLS NOT ALL THAT SPICEY

Victoria Beckham is furious at Geri Halliwell's plans to perform her solo hits on the Spice Girls' forthcoming world tour. Victoria, also known as Posh Spice, is determined Geri - who quit the band in 1998 to pursue a solo career - should not be allowed to sing a medley of her hits, which include 'Lift Me Up', 'Bag It Up' and 'Look At Me', when the girls hit the road in December. A source said: "Victoria is adamant she won't do it. When she signed up, one major stipulation was that Geri will not sing solo." The row is threatening to divide the Spice Girls, with fellow members Emma Bunton and Mel C reportedly siding with Geri, while Mel B is against the idea. Geri and Victoria are also said to be clashing over the stage outfits the five-piece will wear. Victoria wants classy costumes, while Geri wants flamboyant outfits like those they were famed for in their 90s heyday. An insider added to Britain's Star magazine: "Victoria and Geri have come a long way since they were last in the Spice Girls, and they have completely different ideas of what will work on the road. "With her fashion background, Victoria considers herself to be the key player in deciding the outfits and overall look of the band, but Geri is adamant that she has her say too." Tensions between the pair are said to be so bad, they had to organise a get-together at Geri's house to sort out their differences. However, after both aired their views, Geri and Victoria were soon bickering once more. The insider added: "It was not pretty. They are both feisty and used to getting their own way, so they can't agree on anything at all."

ROCKERS WESTLIFE SLAM THE SPICE GIRLS

Hot Hunky boy band 'Westlife'

Westlife have slammed the Spice Girls for living in the past. The Irish boy band - made up of Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan - have dismissed Mel C for boasting, "Seriously, who would you put your money on", when asked about the two group's upcoming chart battle, insisting past success counts for nothing. Mark told BANG Showbiz: "No one could compete with the Spice Girls 10 years ago. But actually we competed with them eight years ago and we won! We are not living in the past." Shane added: "Yeah, we put our album out at the same time and we beat them. When they were first around no one could compete with them. But that's not true now. "Mel C obviously has some issues with us." The last time both groups released albums simultaneously, Westlife's 'Coast To Coast' sold 160,000 copies more than the girl's 'Forever' LP. Nicky has warned Mel C to stop attacking Westlife - before it gets too "personal". He fumed: "You get a lot of tired old has beans, and I am not referring to the Spice Girls now, saying, 'Oh it was different when I was in the business.' Nostalgia is a big thing and it will work for the Spice Girls. "I don't have anything against them personally. But if Mel C wants to start opening her mouth and picking on us individually or our families then it is going to become personal. It should be a good chart battle." Both acts were due to release their new albums on November 5, but the Spice Girls reportedly delayed their greatest hits collection by a week to avoid directly clashing with Westlife's new album 'Back Home'.

VERSACE TO DESIGN 'THE SPICE GIRLS'

The Spice Girls

The Spice Girls have asked Donatella Versace to design their outfits for their comeback tour. The Italian designer has already started working on her exclusive creations for the band - Victoria Beckham, Mel B, Emma Bunton, Mel C and Geri Halliwell - who kick off their world tour in December. A source told Britain's Daily Mirror: "Donatella was a big fan of the girls back in the day and as soon as she heard that a reunion was on the cards she submitted her ideas. There will be several different looks for each of them and the clothes will be worth over £200,000 (U.S. $400 thousand)." Donatella - the sister of the late fashion guru Gianni Versace who was murdered in 1997 - is determined that each singer will have an individual look, but won't be rigorously sticking to their previous persona's, Sporty (Mel C), Baby (Emma), Ginger (Geri), Scary (Mel B) and Posh (Victoria). The source added: "She wants the girls to retain their band persona's but in a much less obvious way than before. Mel C won't be wearing ill-fitting sportswear instead she'll have a really sexy wardrobe. Emma will wear stunning, elegant dresses with a playful touch. "Donatella thinks they look better than many bands half their age and should show that off." The band recently announced extras dates for their world tour, after 3 million people registered for tickets on the girls' official website. The group will now perform in Vancouver, Canada, San Jose, USA, and Shanghai, China. Other cities on the tour include London, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Koln, Madrid, Hong Kong, Sydney, Cape Town and Buenos Aires.

GERI HALLIWELL ROMANCING RUSSIAN

A little Spice for Geri Halliwell

Geri Halliwell is reportedly romancing a Russian heir. The 34-year-old Spice Girl is said to be "besotted" with 26-year-old Evgeny Lebedev (left), whose father is billionaire academic Alexander Lebedev. The smitten pair - who met through their mutual friend, Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich - were pictured leaving a London party on Wednesday night hand-in-hand. A fellow guest at The Serpentine Gallery summer party told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "They looked very much together all night and were whispering in each other's ears. Geri seemed totally besotted with him and kept touching his arm. And it looked like the feeling was very much mutual." Geri - who has a one-year-old daughter, Bluebell Madonna - has had a turbulent love life and is yet to find her 'Mr. Right'. She has previously dated Robbie Williams, 'Little Britain' comic David Walliams and British radio and TV presenter Chris Evans. Her relationship with scriptwriter Sacha Gervasi, the father of her daughter Bluebell, ended in the early stages of her pregnancy and she has had no contact with him since. Last month, it was claimed Geri was keen to have another baby because she wants Bluebell to have a brother or a sister. A source said: "Geri doesn't want Bluebell to be an only child because she's such a sociable baby and loves being around other children. "Geri is very close to her own sister, Natalie, and she can't imagine life without a sibling. "Having another child is very much at the forefront of her mind right now."

'SPICE GIRLS' HEAD TO LOS ANGELES

The Spice Girls are getting ready !

The Spice Girls are decamping to Los Angeles for rehearsals. The decision is a resounding victory for Victoria Beckham, who reportedly only signed up to the reunion under the proviso the other girls would agree to temporarily move to the US, where she now lives with her family. A source said: "There was no way Victoria would agree if it meant she had to go back and forth to London." The move has allegedly not gone down well with Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Mel C, who all reside in the UK. Mel B already lives in the US. Heavily pregnant Emma is said to be apprehensive about moving with a newborn baby, while Geri Halliwell has 13-month-old daughter Bluebell to consider and Mel C recently set up home in Wales with her boyfriend. The girls announced they were reuniting - six years after breaking up - for a world tour in December last week. The group are set to kick off their 11-date world tour in Los Angeles, followed by shows in Las Vegas, New York City, Buenos Aires, London, Cologne, Madrid, Beijing and Sydney.

THE SPICE GIRLS COULD EXTEND TOUR

The Spice Girls yesterday in England

Spice Girl Mel C has hinted the group could extend their world tour if there is a big demand for tickets.The band officially announced they were reuniting yesterday for an 11-date tour starting in December and a greatest hits album. But Mel admits she and the other girls - Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, Mel B and Victoria Beckham - could perform more shows for fans that miss out on the first 11 concerts. She told BBC Radio 1: "If we are inundated with requests there could be more shows." Emma has also dismissed claims the girls should donate part of the reputed £10 million they will each earn from the reunion to charity. She said: "Well, you know, it's a very short tour, in the old days we had to do very long tours to make lots of money. But whatever anyone says this isn't about the money, it's about a chance to say goodbye to our fans." The heavily-pregnant singer also revealed her baby was kicking throughout the group's press conference at London's The 02 arena, and confessed to craving sweet things. She added: "The baby was kicking loads during the conference. I've been eating a lot of cake during the final stages, but I suppose that's natural!" The Spice Girls are set to kick off their tour in Los Angeles, followed by shows in Las Vegas, New York City, London, Cologne, Madrid, Beijing, Hong Kong, Sydney, Cape Town and Buenos Aires.

THE SPICE GIRLS NEW SONG 'WOMAN'

The Spice Girls are planning to launch their pop comeback with a track called 'Woman'.The song was written in 1999 - after Geri Halliwell had left the band - but has been updated in time for a Christmas release. A source told Britain's The People newspaper: "It is a very catchy pop tune so they thought it would be great to use it now. But they have updated it, with Geri adding her vocals." Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown originally wrote the song with Richard Stannard and Matt Rowe. Geri and Emma were recently pictured visiting Stannard's home to discuss how to "revamp" the song. The updated lyrics are said to reflect how the girls have matured since the band split in 2000. There are also plans to release a greatest hits album on November 5. Since their 90s Spice Girls heyday, Victoria, Mel B and Geri have all become mothers. Emma is expecting her first child and Mel C recently released her fourth solo album, 'This Time'. The band shot to fame with their chart-topping debut single 'Wannabe' in 1996, and became one of the most successful girl groups ever, selling over 53 million records.

EDDIE MURPHY TO DO DNA TEST TODAY

Eddie Murphy will undergo a DNA test to today to determine whether he is the father of Mel B's baby.Eddie has continually denied claims he is the father of two-month-old Angel Iris, after splitting with Mel while she was pregnant. The 'Dreamgirls' actor has now been ordered to appear in a US court to provide a DNA test after Mel sought legal action to resolve the dispute. A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "If he tries to duck out of this test there will be all hell to pay. This isn't just another girlfriend he is messing around, this is his own flesh and blood. "Mel knows the baby is Eddie's and can't believe it has got to the point where she has to force him to acknowledge there is a chance he could be the father. "He has left her with no choice. This isn't about the money. It's about Angel knowing for sure who her dad is." Mel who has also been ordered to attend the court hearing, prepared for the day by meeting up with her former Spice Girls band mate Victoria Beckham. The pair caught up over a meal which was filmed for Victoria's new US reality TV show. Mel, 32, was "devastated" when Eddie abruptly ended their whirlwind romance late last year. At the time, Eddie told Dutch TV: "I don't know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test." The actor, who has five children, has not seen Mel or baby Angel Iris since she was born.

SPICE GIRL HAS MESSAGE FOR EX LOVER EDDIE MURPHY ON BABY CLAIMS !

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown has urged her ex-boyfriend Eddie Murphy to "be responsible" and publicly acknowledge he is the father of her three-week old baby.Brown gave birth to Angel Iris Murphy Brown on April 3 in Santa Monica, Calif., five months after she ended her six-month relationship with the "Dreamgirls" actor.The singer claims Murphy became aware of her pregnancy while they were still together and was "over the moon."She tells Britain's OK! magazine, "We had talked about having a family and getting married. We started talking about whether we should buy a house together, where we could be alone together."Brown insists Murphy was a loving boyfriend and excited about the baby when she flew to her native England to visit her mother last December, but when she returned Murphy had ended their relationship and was denying paternity of the baby.Brown explains, "I came to see my mom for a few days as I wanted to see her in person. Then I got a flight home, landed and there is a whole sea of photographers. There were people shouting about a DNA test."I was in complete shock. I tried to call Eddie and couldn't get through. Then I got through and he said he would call me back and that was it. He never called back. I literally couldn't understand what was happening."While Brown was flying home to Los Angeles, Murphy appeared on the Dutch TV show "RTL Boulevard," saying, "I don't know whose child that is, until it comes out and has a blood test."She laments, "I was shocked and then I felt a bit disgusted. I don't feel humiliated. I think the only person who has humiliated themselves is Eddie."If he wants to do a DNA test, then do it. Step up to the plate and be responsible. I have no doubt that this is Eddie's baby."I'm not registering her birth without her dad."

SPICE GIRL MEL B. GETS DNA TEST TO PROVE EDDIE MURPHY IS THE FATHER OF HER BABY

Eddie Murphy and Spice girls Mel B.

Mel B was "distraught" after her new baby underwent a DNA test to prove Eddie Murphy is the father. The former Spice Girl was reportedly devastated when ex-lover Eddie failed to get in touch after she gave birth to Fortuna Daphne Bay nearly two weeks ago. The procedure for the paternity test is now underway and Mel is determined to prove her daughter's parentage. A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "She is distraught that her baby has been subjected to the DNA-testing procedure. "She can't believe it's come to this and that Eddie hasn't just admitted the child is his. "This last week should have been an incredible time for Mel, but it's been emotionally overwhelming and she's been constantly in tears. The DNA test was the last straw and she's gearing up to fight back. She's a strong-willed woman and will fight to the end." Earlier this week, Mel, 31, named Eddie as the father on Fortuna's birth certificate and has hired a top lawyer in preparation for a lengthy court battle. Mel enjoyed a whirlwind romance with Eddie before it ended abruptly late last year. The 'Dreamgirls' actor began dating producer Tracey Edmonds shortly after the split and claimed in an interview on Dutch TV he didn't know who the baby belonged to. A source said: "Eddie and Fortuna look very much alike and Mel wants to let everyone know that Eddie has to take his responsibilities as a father seriously."

VICTORIA BECKHAM TURNS TO WINE

Victoria Beckham needs to gain weight !

Victoria Beckham is reportedly drinking wine to increase her appetite, it has been claimed. The former Spice Girl - who is reported to have shrunk to a US size 0, a UK size 4 - is tired of people criticising her for being underweight and has turned to alcohol to "give her the munchies". A source told Closer magazine: "It's the reason she has a drink. If she has a wine or two then she'll have an appetite like everyone gets when they're on a night out and drinking. "She's got a big wine cooler in her house in Madrid and will have one in California when she finds a house. "She and David have a life director who is helping them organise the move and she is also sourcing nice Californian wines." It has been reported Victoria, 32, eats just one meal a day, refuses to touch carbohydrates and will only eat steamed fish, vegetables and salads.

SPICE GIRL EMMA BUNTON COPING WELL

Mel C says Emma Bunton is coping well with her pregnancy.The singer is in regular contact with her former Spice Girls bandmate, who is expecting her first child, and says she is beaming with a maternal glow.Mel said: "She's loving it and is blooming. She hasn't complained of morning sickness or swollen ankles, or anything like that. It's all really exciting, I'm so happy for her."Although she is thrilled for Emma, Mel insists she isn't getting broody although she does plan to start a family with her long-term boyfriend, construction firm director Thomas Starr. The 'I Want Candy' singer - who has been in a relationship with Thomas for five years - explained: "I'm not broody, but I do want kids and it's something I have to think about at my age."I don't know when it will happen. I tend not to think much further than the rest of the year ahead. We have talked about it. When you've been together for five years, you've pretty much talked about everything."