Geri Horner reveals she had given up all hope for a future Spice Girls reunion as she takes over Bizarre
THE SPICE GIRLS reunion last Friday was something almost no one saw coming – least of all GERI HORNER.
She gathered her bandmates VICTORIA BECKHAM, MEL C, EMMA BUNTON and MEL B at her London home to discuss bringing back the group, six years after they last performed together at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.
But speaking as she guest-edited Bizarre to reveal all about the reunion, her life and new BBC Saturday night show All Together Now, Geri confessed she had previously given up all hope of the biggest girl group of all time reforming — despite being desperate to make it happen.
Reflecting on their failed effort to get together for the 20th anniversary of debut single Wannabe in 2016, she said: “We all pushed for it, like, ‘Come on, let’s try and make it happen.’ It didn’t.
“You get to a point where you go, ‘Do you know what, just let it go.’ And I was having a baby.
“I’d really sort of let it go. It’s funny, they say let things go and I really had.
“That’s when I decided to go into television. A BBC executive said, ‘We think you should do primetime entertainment.’ She really encouraged me to do it.”
The result was All Together Now, the brilliant new singing series which continues on BBC1 at 7.15pm on Saturday.
But now Geri has the Spice reunion to think about too — which will see them tour the UK and America.
I revealed that the girls were meeting for the first time in six years last Friday and I have stayed at the forefront of the story ever since.
On Saturday I told how surprising it was that Victoria is really pushing forward with the reunion, having ruled herself out entirely when discussions began in 2015.
Geri said: “When it finally came together the other day, we all came and sat around and went, ‘Maybe we should do something.’ And we all agreed.
“I think everyone goes through different stages in their life. I can’t speak for Victoria, but when you have children you just reflect.
“Who knows why but you get into different mind frames.
“When we all came together it was really nice to reflect on the past. Then we looked at the new generation as well and thought, ‘We should think about them. That’s important to us.’
“Regardless of whether we were in a band singing together, I still want to know that they’re happy and well and support them individually or collectively. I really do care about them.”
Discussions between the girls about the reunion project have included a Chinese reality show, endorsement deals, a record label and world tour — which I, along with all Spice fans, am desperate for.
When I asked Geri about touring, it's clear plans are in the works. Geri said: “I think it’s one of the things that we look back on from the past and we’ve had so many amazing memories. Whatever we decide to do, however it unfolds, it will be something joyful and very connective.
“We love our fans, we love the music, we respect them. And we want to share that spirit of the Spice Girls. All I can say is: Watch this space.”
And when I suggested they could even take to the stage in the legends slot at Glastonbury next year, after Victoria attended last summer, Geri added: “That would be nice, we’ll put it on the discussion list.”
That would be enough to make even me pull on my wellies.
Geri: Girl power is not just for girls
THE Spice Girls ruled the world with their feisty brand of girl power but Geri insists boys need a boost too. She said: “Feminism means equalisation between men and women. So boys need to feel equal too.”
Girls have tour in store
IT’S only been six days since the girls were reunited for the first time since 2012 – and they are already planning to conquer the world again.
After Victoria Beckham and Mel C’s reluctance to take to the stage, the band are now set to tour the UK before heading to America.
SIMON FULLER, who launched the band and made them a global phenomenon, is behind the shows which will see all five members on stage six years after they played London’s Olympic Games. A source confirmed: “Everyone is now committed and wants it to happen. It’s exciting.
“They want this to be a celebration of everything they stood for.”
Now I wouldn’t even rule out the possibility of a new song or two.
No gridblock
THE decision to ditch Formula 1 grid girls has divided the nation – but Geri’s husband, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, might want to pass on her advice on how to soothe both sides.
Geri thinks the girls should not have been axed but should have been joined by grid guys to provide additional eye candy.
She said: “I can understand why they have done it, and I can understand there is going to be opposition on both counts.
“I would say, can we have grid people? Put boys and girls on there. We’re a multi- cultural, multi- gender, mixed-race society – so they should reflect it.
“They should also represent all shapes and sizes. Wouldn’t that please everyone?”
'I'M LOVING IT'
THERE are almost 11 years between Geri’s daughter Bluebell and one-year-old son Monty, pictured with Christian and his daughter Olivia, but the singer is enjoying motherhood just as much.
And not just because the tot has given her a reason to avoid the gym.
Geri said: “He is so cute. He actually goes like, ‘Don’t go’. That makes me feel good. He’s a big boy.
“I’ve got muscles. I’ve never had such big muscles in my life. He is so heavy.
“I’m loving it.”
All together a better show
IN the Nineties the Spice Girls conquered the world with their uplifting vibe – and Geri hopes her new Saturday night TV show All Together Now can bring similar smiles.
The singing contest sees her lead a panel of 100 judges, with singers competing to get as many of them up on their feet and singing along as they can, with a £50,000 prize for the top act.
And with no promises of superstardom and nobody ripped to shreds by a panel of judges on screen, Geri and co-host ROB BECKETT think the format could prove a welcome antidote to today’s doom and gloom.
Geri said: “I discussed it with the producers and it was like, ‘I know you don’t want to be mean – let’s be kind to people.’ You’re just judged on the performance and that’s it, pretty much.
“What I love is it’s not promising anything – just a moment and the money.”
She added: “Modern Britain is very multicultural and this show is reflective of that. Given the last few years, let’s remind each other that regardless of our political views or our classes, our colour, our races or our genders, we all really like each other. That’s what really attracted me to it.”
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
Geri is hoping it will be back on the box for another series after scoring great ratings for BBC1 – with 4.3million fans tuning in to watch last weekend’s second instalment.
And she said of her fellow judges: “We would all have sing-songs and we’d all pass sweets down the line. It’s really cute. So for that reason I look forward to seeing them all again.”
Geri's fave stars
- P!NK: I LOVE PINK. She hasn’t gone with whatever is in or out and she’s just been really true to her style and music. And I like the way she has brought up her daughter. She gives a very powerful message.
- ADELE: SHE’S a great songwriter, she’s got fantastic talent and she’s got a beautiful face but I love her because, beyond that, she is who she is. It’s so attractive when people are just so authentic.
- ED SHEERAN: HE’S ginger – I can’t help but love him! He shows that everything is cool. He can move in different circles. I love that track with BEYONCE. His song with PHARRELL was playing when I had Monty.
- PRINCE HARRY: HIS wedding to MEGHAN MARKLE is modern and brilliant. It just shows you that the gingers are having a moment. Could the Spice Girls sing at their wedding in May? Oh God, that’s funny.