"I'm starting a different phase of my life. I've had to slow down a bit. I'd put on weight, I wasn't working out as much as I used to and I was on fast forward all the time. At Christmas I was feeling dead and burnt out, so I decided to chill a bit. Now I feel stronger, fitter, and I'm really looking forward to this year."

Tabloids:

"Yes, of course I get upset. Mostly I think the gay rumours are funny. But I did go through a stage where I was a bit embarrassed that when people met me they were thinking I was gay. Then I thought: 'So what if I was?' It's nothing to be embarrassed about. I've got a lot of gay friends. I know you shouldn't be concerned with what people think about you, but it's easier said than done. There have been things printed about me that I've had to square with my family and say: 'You know it's not true'. I had a very close, so-called friend, now an ex-friend, who sold a story on me that was drug related. I had to ring my mum and that was tough. As far as relationships go, though, it's just something I don't particularly want plastered all over the papers. I've always been known as Single Spice but I've dated people along the way. I'm not gay. I've not taken a vow of celibacy either. I've simply never been in a relationship that's been anything I've wanted to go public. I'm definitely romantic. I did have a long-term boyfriend when I was 19, but it was such a long time ago I can't remember how I felt, so it's lost its validity. I've met people I've liked, but it's never quite worked out. I sometimes wonder whether I'll ever meet someone I really like."

Apperance:

"It's not a proper tan. I've been using sunbeds. And I'm having more fun as a blonde, so that saying must be true! I'm not really concerned with appearances, which probably sounds like a stupid thing to say because I do like to be fit. But it's more about how I feel inside. With the hair thing, I thought I'd try it after being dark for ages. I'll try anything and the blonde does seem to suit me and make my face look softer."

Music & Spice Girls:

"It was the ultimate when it[Never Be The Same Again] got to number one. I've taken a lot of criticism about my solo work, but it can change so much in the eyes of the music press as soon as you have a big success. As soon as I began selling records they decided it was good. Well it was good months ago."

"The Spice Girls really are Forever. Why would we split up? We're having the time of our lives. We have such a laugh and they are my best friends. But I've also got something else to prove, which is why I am so determined to see my solo stuff work. We want to do a world extravaganza. But the shows are going to be a lot different from the old ones. We are going to have more solo stuff, and it's going to be a lot funkier and modern. But with the other girls having babies we had to slow down because we were so exhausted. I just felt there were other things to do and so did they. The world's our oyster, really. We're taking each day as it comes and just want to be happy."

Family:

"I'd like children, but not for a while. The babies are gorgeous, but as soon as they cry I give them back. I'm not broody at all. My career comes first and I can only focus on one thing at a time. When I was growing up it made me cautious about getting married. It made me quite cynical about it. But I don't think you can ever say never about anything. I'm 26 now and I feel like I've grown up a lot. My mum is a top bird. I speak to her about five times a day. With her being a cabaret singer, she was my idol and I wanted to grow up and be like her. In fact when I was a kid I thought all mums were singers I was never a terrible teenager or rebellious. We've never had an argument, we're more like friends and we're both dead laid back. I never row with anyone."

Geri Halliwell:

"This feud is crap! I might have said stuff about her records, but I was being honest, not spiteful. If you ask me a question I'll answer it honestly. I'd rather live my life being criticised for being honest than being a liar. I went to see Geri at the Brits, before it got all chaotic, and wished her luck for her performance. I knew she'd be nervous doing it all on her own. There's no animosity there and there never was. Life's too short. The Spice Girls is like a jigsaw puzzle and it was a shame when Geri left, because it was like a bit was missing really. She gets in touch with each of us occasionally. She sent me some flowers when I got to number one and sent presents for the babies when they were born."

Life couldn't be better right now. I have my down days, like everybody, but I've learned to put things into perspective. If I'm feeling down I have to remember how lucky I am."