What's your best Christmas memory from your childhood?

"I think it'd have to be when I was very young and I got my Barbie house. It's so exciting when you wake up and it's there in your room. Santa Claus has bought your Barbie. I've always had very lovely Christmas' with my family and it's very much food and sleep and games. My mum's like a big kid so every Christmas is very special."

Were you devastated to find out that Santa didn't exist?

"What? Yeah cos I think it's so nice for people to believe in things that are magical and I love that. And I still do!"

What's your favourite and worst Christmas No.1?

"Oh I don't remember. My favourite was '2 Become 1' cos it's my favourite song anyway out of all of ours. My worst...was the Teletubbies No.1? Or Mr Blobby (grimaces). I love him but not the song."

If you had to cover a Christmas song what would it be?

"Slade is always really cool. Very up and come on!"

Was having a Christmas No.1 different?

"Again for me Christmas is always very special so to have a Christmas No.1 made it extra special because it's my favourite track of all time. Yeah, amazing feeling. Your playing it on Christmas Day and everyone's listening to this, our song and it's No.1."

What was it like watching yourself on Top Of The Pops on Christmas Day?

"Christmas Day Top Of The Pops is something we'd watched every year and then to watch you on it is a weird feeling. Sometimes it's just not me. I try not to think about it too much."

How did you celebrate with the other Spice Girls in the early days when you had no money?

"Oh yeah. We just used to get pizzas in and I remember once we were given these flowers, it's very rude, but we were whacking them and jumping around with them and it was always very exciting but we still get very excited. When 'What Took You So Long' got to No.1 all the girls phoned me. We still get that excitement and that never goes away and if it does then it's very sad. You should never get complacent about something like that."

Why should people buy your album for Christmas?

"I think my album is a great stocking-filler cos it's got tracks you can dance to, it's got lots of emotion in there and there's some real ballads for your mum. It's just one of those things that can be for anyone - for your kids, mum, grandma. It's definitely a Christmas album and I'm definitely going to put mine on. 'A Girl Like Me' is a Christmas album."

Which three albums would be on your Christmas list?

"I'm a huge fan of Christmas albums. You know when you're sitting down eating your turkey. I love that Nat King Cole stuff, my album of course and probably Destiny's Child. But definitely a Christmas album, it'd go down a treat."

What are the ingredients of a good Christmas Day?

"Well, getting up very early as I usually get woken up by my brother and mum. I've also become an auntie this year and I love it when there are babies in the house. A good Christmas dinner and my mum is very good at that so I'm looking forward it. And just games. You've got to play games on Christmas Day. There's no getting out of it all those grumpy uncles who don't want to play. If I don't win that's it!!!! We love playing Who Wants To Be A Millionaire on the computer."

Have you started shopping yet?

"I've done absolutely nothing! I've been so busy as I've just got back from Australia but I'm looking forward to it. I'm going with my mum this time so she can help me out. I'm absolutely last minute but sometimes that's better. I usually think about it before I get there."

Any tips that would make a good present?

"I tell you what...no I can't in case someone sees it...but I've bought Phoenix and Brooklyn great little presents but I can't tell you. Also I've seen this great mini pool table which is ideal for teenagers or for anyone. There's always good bits out there you just have to keep your eyes open."

What's the worst present you've ever received?

"It was from my Nan. I'm sorry Nan I do love you. It was this lamp but a really dodgy lamp. You know you have to be like 'thanks Nan' but it was bloody awful."

What's on your list?

"CDs obviously, videos, candles all that kind of things."

What do you hope to achieve by next Christmas?

"Have a successful tour which I'm starting early next year which will be amazing as I'm going all over Europe and in the UK - watch out and come and see me. And to start a new album, fingers crossed that all will go well."