'She has left the band' Mel C has 'DROPPED OUT' of Spice Girls reunion
MELANIE CHISHOLM has allegedly decided against the proposed plans to reform the Spice Girls to mark the 20th anniversary of their first single Wannabe.
Reports suggest Mel C doesn't want to reunite
Fans of the pop group have been eagerly awaiting an announcement from Mel C, Emma Bunton, Geri Horner, Mel B and Victoria Beckham as to whether they'll be reuniting in some capacity to pay homage to their 20 years in the business.
But things are looking increasingly worse for the proposed reunion.
According to The Sun, Chisholm has followed Beckham's lead and taken herself out of the running.
The Sun's source has declared that the singer, 42, "has essentially left the band to focus on a more serious music career", saying that she's out "for now".
The last time we saw the Spice Girls reform was at the 2012 London Olympics
Mel C's solo career has been a success
Mel B and Geri are arranging a number of meetings which include the option for a tour, possibly with just the three of them or with other singers
The source suggests that 42-year-old Beckham's decision not to participate was a major factor in Chisholm's thoughts on the matter: "Obviously it was a bit of a problem that Victoria made it clear she wasn’t going to be part of the reunion. She loves the girls but it just didn’t feel right for her to reunite with them at the moment. She has other priorities."
Beckham's involvement has been somewhat back-and-forth. Initially she was expected not to rejoin the group, thanks to a hectic schedule running her eponymous fashion label. Reports then came in that she would appear in SOME of the anniversary plans, possibly performing with the girls a handful of times only. These rumours were then denied, sparking reports that she and Melanie Brown were warring over the matter.
Brown, 40, has seemingly been the keenest to make the reunion happen, previously saying: "It is our 20th anniversary this year and it would be rude not to celebrate, so hopefully something will be happening pretty soon."
But are fans now in for a major disappointment?
The Return of the Spice Girls was the group's last massive world tour
Spice Girls to mark 20 years
Beckham has carved out a serious career as a fashion designer
“Mel B and Geri are arranging a number of meetings which include the option for a tour, possibly with just the three of them or with other singers," the Sun's source continues. “There have even been the suggestions of a Spice Girls talent show."
Despite the excitable source gushing that "it would be an absolute TV sensation" if the girls opened the chance to the public to replace a missing Chisholm and Beckham, this isn't necessarily the case.
In 2007, American girl group the Pussycat Dolls tried the same thing, fronting a TV show to recruit a new member of the band. But shortly after the contest was won by Asia Nitollano, she disappeared from the group, performing with them just once. The show never returned.
And while it would seem anything the Spice Girls touch turns to gold, this isn't actually the case either. The West End show based on their music - Viva Forever! - notoriously flopped after a paltry six month run on stage. The musical was written by Jennifer Saunders, but the group were all in full support of the production.
Mel B is the driving force behind the re-group
Girl power just won't be the same without all of the Spices. #whatreunion #letdown????????
— Jessica Maden (@jessmaden) April 28, 2016
Surely a Spice Girls reunion means they ALL need to be involved? Otherwise they're just having a singalong without Posh?! #girlpower
— Stacey Bradburne (@stacemc_2012) April 28, 2016
@OK_Magazine If 2 of The Spice Girls have pulled out, then this isn't a true Spice reunion. People want all 5 girls.
— Gabby (@Gabbycrts) April 28, 2016
Has Victoria Beckham hung up her microphone?
The idea of recruiting two new Spice Girls doesn't seem to excite fans, who want them to reform as they were. Purchasing tickets to watch Scary, Baby and Ginger Spice performing alongside a couple of complete newcomers slightly defeats the point. Twitter uses have expressed their thoughts on the matter, with one impassioned fan posting: "Girl power just won't be the same without all of the Spices.#whatreunion #letdown"
Another devestated tweeter wrote: "Surely a Spice Girls reunion means they ALL need to be involved? Otherwise they're just having a singalong without Posh?! #girlpower"
A reform could still be incredibly lucrative for the group. Their 2007 world tour made £107 million in ticket sales and merchandise. But the girls are independently successful and have accrued their own fortunes via fashion, radio, solo music and TV appearances.
“At the end of the day, Geri left the group in 1998 and they were able to continue with the four of them, which is why they could accept Victoria’s decision, but losing Mel C might be a bridge too far,” concluded the source.
The last time the girls performed as a five was at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics - a performance that delighted fans worldwide.