It was the first time the five had appeared in public together since Halliwell walked out on the band in dramatic fashion nine years ago.

"Imagine you got divorced and you’ve got back together with your ex-husband," was Halliwell’s description of being reunited with her band mates. But Beckham could not resist a dig, quipping: "She just appreciates the fact we’ve let her back in."

All claimed they are now the best of friends. "We’ve forgiven her," Beckham, 33, said of Halliwell. "I love all the girls. Yes, we argue, but we’re like sisters."

Halliwell, 34, likened the reunion to "organising a G8 summit".

The tour will certainly be lucrative but Halliwell declared: "Money is not an issue. We’re doing this because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a Spice Girl again. Who would turn that down? For us, it’s about celebrating the past, and it’s about our fans. It’s really, really the right time. It was now or never."

They repeatedly dodged questions about how much money they will make.

Mel C, 33, has spent the past few years vowing never to take part in a reunion. "A girl’s allowed to change her mind," she said by way of explanation. Bunton, 31, said simply: "I wanted to be a Spice Girl again."

The band are billing this as a "farewell tour" and thank you to fans, with Halliwell declaring: "This is going to be a one-night stand." But industry insiders predict they will record an album of new material if their comeback provokes enough interest from fans.


Spice Girls together again - June 28 2008
It’s a sight their fans never thought they would see - the Spice Girls back together again.

Five became one at a photocall in advance of today’s comeback announcement.

Now all in their 30s and with six children between them, the group went for a more sedate pose than they would have done in their heyday.

Geri Halliwell, 34, has turned more demure since generating headlines around the world by wearing that now-famous Union flag dress.

The mother of one, who quit the band in 1998, was the centre of attention by standing in the middle of the group in a long, flowing boho flower-print dress.

After dying her ginger locks blonde, Ginger Spice is now ginger again.

Standing on the outside, Posh (Victoria Beckham), 33, wore her trademark super-skinny trousers with a corset-style top.

Scary Spice (Mel B), 32, did not look too Scary in a red pencil skirt and corset top.

Baby (Emma Bunton), 31, soon to have her first child, covered up her bump in a black knee-length dress.

Mel C, 33, put her Sporty fashion days behind her in fitted black jeans, black heels, and a bomber jacket-style top.

The Spices posed at the Meridian line at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, south east London, as they announced a 25-date multi-million pound world tour.


Spice girls to earn millions? - June 27 2007
The Spice Girls could be about to rake in as much £25 million for a two-hour TV special.

The nostalgic show, set to coincide with the reunion of Victoria, Mel C, Mel B, Emma and Geri, is planned to be screened in the UK in September and sold to TV channels across the world.

A source close to the girls told The Sun: "There have been ongoing discussions about doing a documentary looking back at the beginning, the height of Spicemania and what happened towards the end.