IN years gone by, it has been Mel B who has let slip the Spice Girls reunion secrets, but this time it’s Melanie C who cannot keep her gob shut.
The Sun told this week how they are planning a massive tour in 2026 to celebrate 30 years since debut single Wannabe was released.
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Now Sporty Spice has had her say, revealing certain members have needed more “convincing” than others, with Victoria Beckham currently not set to take part.
She is expected to keep out of it just like she did with their sell-out 2019 reunion tour, but Geri Halliwell-Horner has also needed some persuading, which is why she is meeting with the band’s manager Simon Fuller in Miami.
Speaking on the No Filter with Kate Langbroek podcast, Mel C said: “Next year is a big year for us and we have to acknowledge it in some way.
“So we are talking about what that’s going to look like and for me, Melanie, I know for sure, and Emma [Bunton], we’d be back on stage. But sometimes other people need a little bit more convincing.”
On the prospect of all five members being back on stage together for the first time since 2012, she said: “It would be the best thing ever, ever, ever. And sometimes it feels like a duty to the world.
“When we did the shows in 2019, it brought so much joy to so many people. Not everybody likes the Spice Girls but loads of people do.
“We’re living in this weird world right now. There’s so much negativity and mad s**t going on. Let’s all spice up our lives.”
And talking about Mel B, she added, ironically: “We’ve decided now we’re not going to tell Mel anything because she can’t keep her mouth shut.
“So don’t listen to Mel B because she doesn’t know, because we’re not telling her.”
Robbie on Lemon aid
CELEBS flocked to support Robbie Williams as he launched his new art exhibition in London.
The Let Me Entertain You singer showed off his collection and posed for snaps with guests, including telly funnyman Keith Lemon.
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Louis Theroux and Maxim from The Prodigy were also there to check out his show called Radical Honesty, at London’s Moco Museum.
Reflecting on his show, Robbie said: “In a world obsessed with keeping it together, embracing chaos may be the most radical thing you can do.”
ED SCORES HAT-TRICK AT IPSWICH
ED SHEERAN has a summer treat for fans with a trio of homecoming gigs featuring a host of special guests.
The singer, whose new album Play is due out in September, will perform at his beloved Ipswich FC’s Portman Road stadium, close to where he grew up.
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A donation of £1 from each ticket will go to The Live Trust, which helps grassroots music venues.
On July 11, he will be supported by Myles Smith and Tori Kelly, followed by Busted and Dylan on July 12 and, lastly, by James Blunt and Maisie Peters on July 13.
Tickets for the shows – his first headline dates in the UK since 2023 – will go on general sale at 10am on Friday.
METALLICA have announced the re-release of their sixth studio album, Load.
The record, which went five times platinum, will come out on June 13.
Fans who buy the limited-edition boxset will be treated to a load of exclusive content, with unreleased demos, rough mixes and live performances.
Looking Lively
BLAKE LIVELY has endured a tricky few months but she looked all white while promoting her new movie.
The American actress, who is in a legal wrangle with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, was all smiles in her best spring frock to help push Another Simple Favour, which came out on Prime Video on Thursday.
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Blake admitted that the very public fall-out with Justin, which won’t go to court until next March, has led to a very tough year for her.
Speaking on US telly, she explained: “This year has been full of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life.
“I see so many women around afraid to speak, afraid to share their experiences. Fear is by design.
“It’s what keeps us silent. I acknowledge that many people don’t have the opportunity to speak. I feel fortunate that I have been able to.”
PEDRO BUILDS UP TO LEGO DEAL
PEDRO PASCAL is preparing to release his inner child, after lining up a massive new deal to become the face of Lego.
Insiders have told me that the Gladiator II actor is in competition with Timothee Chalamet for the gig, which includes a huge global campaign to promote the plastic bricks.
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A source added: “Pedro has been openly talking about this possible new deal with Lego. He absolutely loves the stuff and is keen for his team to secure it.
“Pedro and Timothee were both in the frame but Pedro would absolutely love it – and he’s made no secret of it.”
The screen hunk previously admitted he tried to nick a Lego minifigure of his character in Disney+ show The Mandalorian when it was still in the development phase.
The figurines were apparently locked inside briefcases and only brought out to show people, but cheeky Pedro tried to pull a fast one.
He said: “I was like, ‘That’s little, that’s me, that’s mine’. They came for me. They said, ‘We need that back’.
“My neighbour came over that day with her young son and I thought, ‘No one is going to see this, it’s tiny’.
“He was like, ‘What’s this?’.”
If he lands the deal, at least no one can take the Lego away from him again. Best of luck, Pedro.
RICHARD: I SAVED KEEF’S LIFE
RICHARD BRANSON has revealed he was held at gunpoint by a man looking for Keith Richards – after becoming convinced the rocker was bedding his wife.
The bloke was correct, but when he knocked on Richard’s door, the businessman saved The Rolling Stones star’s bacon by telling a porky.
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Speaking to Jayne Middlemiss on Virgin Radio UK yesterday, Richard said: “I went to the front door. There was this huge guy there and he had a gun.
“He went, ‘I’ve come to kill Keith Richards, he’s in your house with my wife’.
“As I was talking to him, I saw a naked Keith Richards and a naked wife running behind him across the lawn.
“I said, ‘Put the gun down and you can search the house’. He searched the house, he apologised, he left.
“About an hour later, a naked Keith Richards came back without the wife.”
I bet Richard has never let Keith live it down. I wouldn’t.
ACTOR NCUTI GATWA will deliver the UK’s scores during the Eurovision grand final on May 17.
The Doctor Who star will follow Joanna Lumley and Catherine Tate who have done the honours in recent years.
The ceremony will air straight after a Eurovision-themed Doctor Who special, titled The Interstellar Song Contest.
LILY HOME FOR 40TH
LILY ALLEN is throwing open the doors of her new house to celebrate her 40th birthday.
Presenter Andi Oliver told me she was heading over to the London home of Lily, with her daughter – and Lily’s BFF – Miquita, when I caught up with her at an event at Fortnum & Mason in London.
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Andi said: “I will be celebrating Lily turning 40 this weekend.
“My daughter has bought her a greenhouse for the garden of her new home, and we will be there for a party.
“She’s fine, she’s happy and we will all be there together. It’s going to be lots of fun.”
With Lily and Miquita about, it’s going to be a scream.