The Spice Girls have cancelled plans to perform in half the countries they said they would. The Return of the Spice Girls tour will not be going to Australia, China, Argentina, and South Africa as originally triumphantly announced - "global".

The original dates for cities in these countries were pulled many months ago, so besides real tour dates for these countries still not being given (7 months after the tour announcement), various rumors of cancellation coming from inside sources, and the girls telling interviewers that America is the last leg of their tour, Melanie B has now solidifed it by stating that the Spice Girls are not going anywhere else besides America when she appeared on Al Murray's Happy Hour (UK) this past Friday. When asked explicitly, she stated that the tour will end by March, and will not go anywhere else besides America, without explanation. Here is a video of the interview:

• Downloadable: Mel B - Al Murray's Happy Hour (Interview - 1.25.08).avi (AVI XviD, 688x384, 87mb)

• Update [Feb 1st]: Official Spice Girls message confirming cancellation of tour dates. [local backup] ("Coincidentally" the day after this story was posted here.)
• Update [Feb 4th]: Sad and upset reactions (emails) to SpiceNews from fans.
• Update [Feb 5th]: Spice Girls post a video [local backup] apologizing for the cancellation, but fail to give a reason as to why they didn't visit so many of the countries that they originally committed to while continuously adding many dates in countries they had already been to on this tour, including adding and performing 17 dates in the same city during the time they were originally scheduled to perform almost all of the cancelled dates. With millions of dollars in profit each from this tour, it's curious as to what makes them "unable" to perform in the countries they committed to, but able to instead perform 22 straight Western European dates (20 in the same two cities) during the time they were supposed to be performing in the other countries.
• Update [Feb 10th]: Spice Fans' Dissent (Multimedia).

I can't support people who I don't respect, and I don't respect people who plainly screw over and lie to their fans, that being the Spice Girls. So this is unfortunately the end my friends.

"The lovely Sporty Spice asked if I'd like to go to one of their shows, and if course I said too right I do, and sorry to disappoint any dissenters out there, but it was ACE! It looked great and was such a laugh. The mics were definitely on people, and the ladies were in tune. Fact. The only down side was I went half bloody deaf from the screaming – I had to get my left ear checked out for tinitus. Rrrrawk and roll eh? Well I'll tell you what, Scary said one of the filthiest things on stage I've ever heard when they had their 'what have you had too much of over christmas' section of chat – the girl is on fire!

Last Friday Scary Spice Mel B and her husband Stephen Belafonte had dinner in Manchester at Lounge Ten, and then went to a strip club, Manchester's Fantasy Bar, and paid two strippers to perform lap dances for each other. An source said:

"Mel looked more than happy to be here. She was really excited when the girls started dancing around them. I think she was eyeing them up more than her husband."

Melanie B only every had sex with Eddie Murphy one time.

-= Rumor Warning =-

That is extremely laughable, it's almost laughable to think she'd only do it once per session, let alone once ever.

• Spice Girls - Interview - Manchester Evening News - Spice Girls on the Future.mp3 (MP3, 128Kbps, 0:35, 557kb)
• Spice Girls - Interview - Manchester Evening News - Spice Girls on the Campaign for Them to Play Here.mp3 (MP3, 128Kbps, 0:32, 511kb)

"I feel I am back home. I used to love it when I lived here."

"Manchester, you are the best audience in the UK and we've saved the best till last."

"Thank you, to all you loyal northerners, who have stuck with us. You really are the best. This is the last time you'll see us together in Europe and we're doing it just for you, Manchester."

The Spice Girls' comeback single "Headlines", is selling in the bargain bin at some Tescos in England for one penny.

-= Rumor Warning =-

"We were delighted when Geri agreed to come and visit Jessica and she was really generous with her time. Although Jess is unable to speak at the moment you could tell she was really excited as she kept moving her arms and her legs as Geri was talking to her. She is a big Spice Girls fan and I'm sure this will help her on her road to recovery. We started off the week and saw the very worst of human nature but since then we have seen the very best. It has been from despair to elation, given the fact that she is still alive. Jessica was minutes away from death but from then on the pendulum has swung in her favor. You play it through your mind: Why her? What was the reason behind it? Could it have been avoided? Could you have done anything to stop it happening? It's just torture really. She's still in and out of sedation and she's not communicating heavily but we managed to communicate by her toe movement. We know that the Jess we know and love is in there. We cracked a little joke and it was wiggle the toes once for 'yes' and twice for 'no'. She did about five wiggles. So her sense of humour is still there. She is fighting for her life and fighting big time. Her sense of humour is still there, the Jess we know is there."

Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell is dating long time friend and British comedian David Walliams, 36. The pair have just recently told their friends about it, and Geri told the other Spice Girls to keep it secret. A source says:

"They have been secretly dating since the New Year and nobody knows. They are very tactile with each other and he's such a gent. Geri just can’t stop smiling. They will be gutted when news of their relationship leaks as until now they've been able to carry on without anyone knowing."

-= Rumor Warning =-

A source tells Closer magazine (UK):

"Mel gets incredibly jealous. She is very insecure and paranoid about Stephen running off with another girl. She has to keep him in her sights whenever she goes out."

Other stars involved included Jake Gyllenhaal, Celine Dion, Heidi Klum, Jamie Foxx, and Paris Hilton.

The Spice Girls also left Ellen a birthday voicemail, as did Annie Lennox, and Tom Cruise.

A portion of the interview is also available as an audio file. (local backup copy below)

• Spice Girls - Interview - Yorkshire Evening Post (1.25.08).asf (ASF, 1:36, 1.5mb)

Victoria was met by Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria after the girls' show on Thursday. The two then went out for dinner at the Lowry Hotel (where the Spice Girls were staying), drank some Martinis and then Victoria supposedly actually ate a large hamburger, and fries. The girls partied and spent a rumored $44,000 that night, and were rumored to be borrowing unicycles from other hotel guests at 3am.

The following day, the Spice Girls were spotted out and about around Manchester. They treated their families to lunch at Japanese restaurant Sapporo (on Liverpool Road). They are said to have ate sushi and a host of teppanyaki treats. Geri then took Bluebell and the other Spice kids for a shopping trip around Hamleys inside House of Fraser on Deansgate, where she supposedly bought two R/C Helicopters and a cuddly red dragon toy.

Mel B then took her daughters to a Chorlton park while Mel C went to a banquet at swish city centre Thai restaurant Chaophraya, after which she posed for photos with staff and signed autographs.

Victoria Beckham shopped at King Street stores including Vivienne Westwood, and also had a photo shoot for her new jeans collection in Ardwick.

The interview is posted on the Good Morning America site: link to video, and here is a local copy of it below also, though the version they posted is missing about 20 seconds of the interview, which includes Victoria talking about appreciating the tour more this time, and Mel B briefly showing off her shoe.

The complete version in very nice quality is available as a download below.

• Downloadable: Spice Girls - Interview - Good Morning America (1.24.08).avi (AVI XviD, 688x384, 124mb)

"I think I want them all!"

"Of course I'm tired. That's why I'm wearing sunglasses!"

Yeah girls, you WEAR those sunglasses indoors!!

"She was always my favorite Spice Girl. I love her feisty approach and the fact she isn't afraid to have an opinion. Her work with Unicef and Marie Stopes in the third world was inspiring, and her address at a UN Youth summit in 2000 was brave. It's so easy to not get involved and she just gritted her teeth and went for it."

In the article Victoria states that she will be finished with the Spice Girls tour "in a month's time", which is what the current schedule reflects... the current schedule, which does not include rescheduled dates for China, Australia, South Africa, or Argentina.

If you live in one of those countries and have been waiting for the Spice Girls to come, I think it's acceptable to be officially concerned. But don't worry, if they decide not to come, we will hold a massive campaign to send the girls thousands upon thousands of douche bags in the mail.

With Mel C also having a slight fall, and Emma having a bigger one (Story), and Mel B falling down on New Year's (Story), this leaves Victoria due for a fall, which is impressive that she hasn't yet with all those high heels she wears, though perhaps they have forced her to master her balance.

Shout out to Strizzle for the heels point.

"Victoria was greeted with rapturous applause as she told the crowd that she loved Manchester, having lived there for so long. Emma added that she met her boyfriend Jade for the very first time at the MEN Arena so the venue has a place in her heart. Northern Spices Mel B and Melanie C were definitely given a fantastic 'welcome home' from the appreciative audience."

This poor showing is not an accurate representation of this release, as the vast majority of Spice Girls fans likely purchased Greatest Hits at Victoria's Secret a couple months ago due to that promo (Story).

22 January 2008
Emma on her birthday and the UK shows

Hi guys,

Firstly I would like to thank everybody who sent messages and made my birthday extra special! I had the best time! It couldn't have been more perfect, spending my birthday on stage with the girls and 20,000 people singing happy birthday.

After the show, me and the girls had a couple of drinks (a couple!) and a good old boogie with the band and dancers.

I was lucky enough to have a day off on my actual birthday and spent the whole day in my pyjamas with my two boys and my mum - totally relaxing.

Tonight was the last night at The O2 and it was an emotional night. The audiences here have been amazing and its been great having friends and family with me every night.

I was packing this morning for Manchester and I'm looking forward to heading up north, it's always such a fantastic atmosphere.

See you there,

Lots of love,

Emma xx

"We wanted to capture the spirit of the Spice Girls, to celebrate the glamour of the band but also celebrate 'Being British', which enables us to showcase our British talent here at Halo."

We are now right about in the middle of The Return of the Spice Girls world tour.

Insightful and hilarious, this is why I love these girls.

"It's complete rubbish."

To enter this competition, send an email to competitions@thespicegirls.com with your name, age, address, and the first line that Victoria sings solo during The Return of the Spice Girls show (now they're actually making you think for a moment!). The email must be sent in by midnight (UK time) on Thursday, January 24th. A winner will randomly be drawn. For terms and conditions of the contest, check the contest page on the official Spice Girls website.

The aforementioned contest page also reveals that Mel B will be donating the next personal item for winning. All the girls have already offered something up, but it looks like they're going to keep going with this!

Victoria Beckham vomited on stage at one of the recent Spice Girls shows in London.

-= Rumor Warning =-

16 January 2008
Geri talks about a fashion trip and the tour

Hello,

So, Spice Girls have gone all fashionista darlings!!!

It's been wonderful collaborating with Roberto Cavalli on our tour wardrobe. We went to his Menswear fashion show on Monday. They flew us over in a private jet; it was such fun and glamourous, and the clothes were gorgeous.

Okay, I have to be honest. I was hoping to check out the eye candy and stare at hot male models but they weren't my cup of tea. I like my man to have bit more meat on his bones.

Anyway, it was a laugh hanging with the girls. We got some free clothes from Roberto, which is always nice. I'm grateful I got a snuggly coat which I can wear in New York. We are off shortly to the east coast of the USA with the tour.

It's all going so quickly. We have four gigs left at The O2 and then it's Manchester. God, this is the last time the Brits will get to see the Spiceys. I am trying to enjoy every last minute. In fact, I did the splits on stage last night, in the "Go Geri" moment. It made the girls laugh.

Geri xx

The Spice Girls are in negotiations with L'Oreal to appear in advertisements and billboards for the hair product company. A source says:

"They are back in a big, big way, and they're not going to stop at a tour. They are in talks to sign with L'Oreal, and have a lot of other things in the pipeline."

• Hartford, Connecticut (Civic Center, February 22nd)
• Montreal, Quebec (Bell Centre, February 24th)

This now makes it between 54-56 Spice Girls reunion shows.

In a report on the Spice Girls' official site, Victoria told thespicegirls.com:

"We really love his outfits, he has done a great job for the tour which isn't easy when you are dressing five different women. He dresses people with heart and that's really important."

"I love all the leopard print, I'm obsessed and I love all the beaded dresses, they are so hot. We also love the black dresses that he made for us too."

"Signing up to do a mile for Sport Relief is such an easy thing to do especially after the post Christmas excesses."

"Whether you're young or old, fit or unfit, most people can do a mile in one way or another and help poor and vulnerable people in the process."

Live coverage of the event will be shown on BBC1 on Sunday, March 16th.

"I love Poshter. She's lovely. She's a very firm person. She's in good shape. Posho! Loved working with her. She was charming, dressed me up nice. She's a lovely gal. I'd work with her anytime."

Melanie C is planning to get rid of all of her tattoos at the end of the Spice Girls reunion tour. She'll be spending about $20,000 for them to be taken off via laser removal. An inside source says:

"Mel is determined to have her tattoos removed as soon as the tour is over because they remind her of all her unhappy times. It's going to be a massive job and very painful but she thinks it's worth it. Having to parade around the stage every night in tiny costumes has encouraged her to make the decision."

"Victoria's doing the fashion shoot this week with top photographer Nick Knight who's shot stars like David Bowie, Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss. The cover will be on the April issue of Vogue and the magazine is planning to dedicate 12 pages to her. It's rare for Vogue to use someone other than a model for the cover, so it's a real coup for Victoria."

There is a rumor that the Spice Girls will not perform in Australia at all on their Return of the Spice Girls world tour. An EMI inside source allegedly says:

"Let's face it, scheduling a massive one-off concert like this in a country so far away was never going to happen. Unless they tour the whole country, the Spice Girls won’t be stopping off in Australia."

-= Rumor Warning =-

I don't see this being true, if it is, then... just really bad, REALLY bad. But I doubt it.

"He just blurted it out a couple of weeks ago, before Emma flew off to start her tour with the Spice Girls. He asked her to marry him when she was pregnant but she didn't think it was the right time. Now Emma does feel it's the right time and she knows she's got the right man. Seeing the other girls married and seeing how Jade is with Beau has made her think differently. For so long it was Emma who resisted the temptation to get married because she felt she wasn't ready."

"I hope these are clean! I will give them to David and we'll re-use them... even if it's as a shower cap! It's good to recycle."

To enter the contest, send in your name, age, address, and the solo song Geri sings on the tour to competitions@thespicegirls.com by this Friday. For terms and conditions and etc, go to the official competition page on the Spice Girls' website.

The site says that Mel B is the one encouraging the other girls to give away personal items and that Victoria is next and last, as we've already had Mel B's fake eyelashes (Story), Mel C's socks (Story), Emma's Cast (Story), and now Geri's Lyric Book.

"Forget the fashion spice, wearing a skirt would suffice! In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty Posh can really wreck-em."

1. Victoria Beckham
2. Amy Winehouse
3. Mark-Kate Olsen
4. Fergie
5. Kelly Clarkson
6. Eva Green
7. Avril Lavigne
8. Jessica Simpson
9. Lindsay Lohan
10. Alison Arngrim

"too much clitoral stimulation"

To enter the contest, send in your name, age, address, phone number, and the middle names of all the Spice Girls to competitions@thespicegirls.com by noon (UK time) next Wednesday (January 16th). The winner will be notified on January 16th as well. For terms and conditions and etc, go to the official competition page on the Spice Girls' website.

06 January 2008
Melanie C on new year fun and returning to the stage

Woo hoo!! 2008, Happy New Year everybody, it's going to be a good one.

Myself and all the Spiceys had a great Christmas. We caught up with our families, ate lots of mince pies and got some well-needed sleep!

We got together for a New Year's Eve dinner at Gordon Ramsay's fabulous restaurant in Claridges. We got dressed up and had a great night. It was really lovely to see in the New Year with all the girls. We celebrated all the fun times from 2007 and raised a glass (or seven) to the ones to come and to the people who make them possible… especially you guys. THANK YOU!

Although we all really needed some rest we couldn't wait to get back on stage. The first show back was quite scary after not performing for a few days, but it was a blinder! In fact, the show has got even more exciting, we are having a ball and our audiences seem to be getting better and better.

It's lovely to be at home, even though it's freezing! I'm really looking forward to the show on the 12th because it's my birthday and I've never performed on my birthday before and I can't think of a better way to spend the evening. We're of to Manchester in a couple of weeks and we're really excited to take the show up north… so it's happy days in Spiceworld.

Hope you're all well and are avoiding that miserable flu. See you soon.

Lots of love...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!

Melanie C x x x

Victoria Beckham exhibited some road rage recently after she was leaving O2 Arena after a Spice Girls show with her husband David Beckham. A taxi allegedly cut her off, and Victoria put her head out the window and gave the cabbie a piece of her mind, gesturing and swearing.

-= Rumor Warning =-

"I'll really miss the tour when it's over. I didn't realise how much I'd missed all the girls until we were back together and I think it can be quite lonely when I've lived abroad for so many years. I've really missed the girls."

"It's lovely being back in a group. You know, the camaraderie, the support, the humor, just to share that again is great. It takes a while to wind down because it's such a high being on stage. It is two hours and fifteen minutes of people screaming at you, and the buzz you get is so high that it takes ages to wind down. I'm not asleep until after two in the morning when I'm on tour!"

Looks like she almost pulled it out completely there, not bad.

A source says that the Spice Girls have nicknamed David Beckham "Yoko Beckham" because of his ability to disrupt the group. The source also says:

"The other girls say Victoria's concentration flags when David is around. She is sluggish and has no interest in socialising with the other girls. David has complained to Posh that he hates the way Stephen Belafonte tries to control Mel B in public. He's even said he thinks Stephen's borderline abusive, because of the way he tries to tell her what she can or can't do. He thinks he is a user and an opportunist, taking advantage of Mel B and trying to ride her coat-tails to a producing career."

"If we have sex problems, we go to Mel B, she is like the doctor."

"The truth of the matter is, to put on this tour has cost $37 million (£18.6 million). We have done this purely to celebrate our fans, the music and ourselves. This is not a money-making expedition. It really isn't. Hopefully we will break even but it's never been about that. If we take home a pay cheque that's fantastic, but this is about party and celebration."

"I have an exclusive for you. Mel B got so drunk she fell down a flight of stairs and twisted her ankle, so she won't be busting the moves tonight."

"We all had a great evening but poor Mel B had a little tumble, so she's dancing tonight despite a painful ankle. Not that you will notice because she's still busting her moves.”

Victoria Beckham has a list of celebs which are banned from getting into a Spice Girls show. The list includes:

• Katie Price & Peter André
• Lily Allen
• Sophie Ellis Bextor
• Denise Van Outen
• Graham Norton

"Victoria has taken some stick over the years from certain celebrities. She doesn't want to be doing her stuff on stage, and then see famous faces in the audience taking the piss. So, quite understandably, Victoria has banned a number of well-known names from the show."

Happy New Year!!

Melanie B's wedding ceremony to Stephen Belafonte (Story) will be in April.

-= Rumor Warning =-

Hi there,

Thank you so much for registering to see us play live in Australia. It has been the most amazing year and we have been overwhelmed by the incredible response from fans wanting to come to our gigs. As you will have seen, we have had to extend the US and UK tours to cope with the massive demand. It has been really fantastic!

This has meant it has taken us a little longer than we had hoped to sort all of our other dates out, but we would now love to hear from you about how many tickets you would like so that we can try and get our dates sorted for 2008.

Its really simple just click on the link below, and let us know how many tickets you would like to buy. We will then get back to you as soon as we can. Thanks for being so patient, and we are really looking forward to Spicing up your 2008.

Link http://australia.thespicegirls.com

Happy New Year

Love

Emma, Geri, Mel B, Melanie C, and Victoria

XXXXXXXX