HOWZAT

Asked if they were worried about tensions and infighting on tour, Chisholm said “we used to have our spats, but we were kids then and we’re woman now”

They described their comeback as “a collective decision made at different times” and rubbished suggestions they wouldn’t be fit enough to perform.

Asked why she had taken so long to make up her mind about a reunion, Chisholm said “a girl’s allowed to change her mind. [The reunion is] something we’ve only been seriously discussing this year. The time is right. We want to have some fun and wanted to keep this announcement mysterious. We’re all very excited.”

Beckham said there would be a creche on the tour to accommodate the seven Baby Spices the band members will have between them once Bunton gives birth.

Beckham said: "We're definitely going to have a huge creche. Our priority is going to be our families. We want to have fun.

"That's one of the many reasons for this, for our children to see what we used to do."

Halliwell said of the reunion: "Obviously it's nostalgic. But equally, if new fans want to come along, that's fantastic.

"I like to think our songs are universal and they are timeless. Hopefully, the kids will like it too."

Halliwell revealed she had recently met new Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

“He seemed a nice enough fellow, when you peel away the layers a bit” she said.

The band relished bashing representatives of the Daily Mail and the Mirror, but claimed they were big fans of Channel 4 news anchor Jon Snow.

They revealed that preparations for their comeback tour will be captured in a television documentary directed by Beatles Anthology film-maker Bob Smeaton.

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