1994: Victoria Adams, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell and Michelle Stephenson form the band, Touch. Stephenson quits and Emma Bunton joins.

1995: Change name to the Spice Girls.

July 1996: Wannabe goes to No 3, then No 1 for seven weeks. The girls are nicknamed Posh, Scary, Sporty, Ginger and Baby Spice.

November: Debut album Spice goes straight to No 1 for nine weeks.

1997: Wannabe is No 11 on the US Hot 100 charts. Awards at Brits and Ivor Novello’s. Second album, Spiceworld, a huge success; film Spiceworld badly received.

1998: Geri Halliwell announces she is leaving.

2000: Forever released with less success than previous albums.

2001: Break to concentrate on solo careers.

NOW

Mel B: Two albums with limited success; autobiography, Catch a Fire. Two daughters (one reportedly fathered by Eddie Murphy).

Emma Bunton: Three solo albums, with moderate success; appeared in Strictly Come Dancing. Expecting a child with long-term boyfriend Jade Jones.

Geri Halliwell: Three albums as a solo artist. Has a daughter. Is a goodwill ambassador for the UN and has a children’s book deal.

Victoria Beckham: One solo album, autobiography, Learning to Fly, fashion line. Married to David Beckham with three sons.

Mel C: Four solo albums; nominated for a Brit.

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