Sugababes star Heidi Range has been mooted as a replacement for Victoria Beckham in Spice Girls

If you wannabe new Posh Spice, you'd better get ready for reality TV show: Victoria snubs Spice Girls reunion... sparking hunt for her replacement

• Girl group set to reunite for album and tour but without Victoria Beckham
• Sources say the group could hold auditions for a fifth member
• Sugababes star Heidi Range has been mooted as a replacement
• Posh kept distance from other members at musical premiere on Tuesday 

By LARA GOULD

PUBLISHED: 22:23, 15 December 2012 | UPDATED: 16:46, 16 December 2012

With their showstopping Olympic appearance and glitzy new West End musical, the Spice Girls are  as hot today as they were in their Nineties heyday.

And now the most successful female group ever are set to re-form for a new album and tour – but without the reluctant Victoria Beckham.

Instead, the remaining four members could hold auditions for a new ‘Posh Spice’ –  through a major TV talent hunt to rival X Factor.

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Snubbed: The Spice Girls are set to reunite for an album and tour but Victoria Beckham has decided not to join her ex-bandmates. The other four members could hold auditions for a fifth member

A source said: ‘The girls are going it alone without Victoria. They are keen to get back together and were trying to work out if they could do it as a four-piece. I think they know this is the last chance for them to get the band going again.

‘But the Spice Girls as a foursome is not going to get them another record deal or sell out big venues. They need an extra cherry on the cake. And the cherry on the cake would be if they replaced Victoria.

‘And that leads to the next question: who do they replace her with? At the moment it’s all being done in a very cloak-and-dagger way and not through official channels.’

Indeed, spokesmen for Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Mel Chisholm and Mel Brown either declined to comment or could not be reached for reaction. Beckham’s publicist said: ‘Victoria respects all of the girls and will always support them all personally and professionally.’

Possible replacement: A source said the four remaining members need 'an extra cherry on the cake'. Sugababes star Heidi Range, left, has been mooted as a possible replacement

Beckham, who has forged a more successful solo career than any of her former colleagues, kept her distance from the rest of the Spice Girls at the first night of their musical Viva Forever! on Tuesday 

She arrived late, missing a photoshoot with the rest of the group and delaying curtain-up, then left the after-party earlier than the others.

The reunion plan is being spearheaded by Halliwell, who was  the first to leave the group in  1998, at the height of their fame.  She is understood to have been  performing private showcases for record executives in a bid to drum up interest.

She is said to have compared the planned reunion with Take That’s hugely successful decision to  re-form without Robbie Williams in 2005 (although he later rejoined).

Take That never used a substitute for Williams, but the Spice Girls are considering either a reality TV series to find the ‘new Posh’ – or recruiting a singer with more experience of the music business.

Five become four: Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Melanie Brown posed together at the premiere of the Spice girls musical in London, without Posh who turned up separately

Family support: David and Victoria Beckham with their children Romeo, Cruz and Brooklyn arrived together at the London premiere. Victoria later appeared on stage in the band's original lineup

Sugababes star Heidi Range, 29, has been mooted as a possible replacement.

The band source added: ‘At the moment they’re thinking who, out there, who’s been in a another band, could “be” Victoria. There would be interest in a television series, but I think they’re keen on someone with industry experience rather than discovering a new star.’

Sources say the girls will announce plans to re-form within weeks. They split in 2000, after releasing their farewell studio album Forever, but reunited for a world tour in 2007, which netted them £10 million each.

The move may also trigger commercial wrangles about whether the remaining band members will be able to use the Spice Girls name without Beckham’s involvement and whether the new fifth member with have the right to use the ‘Posh’ title.

In 2002 Beckham attempted to block Peterborough United FC from registering their long-standing nickname, The Posh, as a trademark.

Separated: While the foursome arrived at the premiere looking happy, Victoria Beckham met fans alone on the red carpet 

The star could also be entitled to a slice of any profits from a new Spice Girls tour as co-writer of many of the band’s hits. And she is one of five partners of Spice Girls LLP, which Companies House documents describe as being involved in ‘activities of its members associated with their previous live performances’.

Each of the Spice Girls could make £3 million if the Jennifer Saunders-scripted Viva Forever! becomes a hit. The show – which coincidentally revolves around a TV talent show – received a cold reception from critics, with one describing it as ‘a prize Christmas turkey’, but it has already taken £4 million at the box office.

Interest in the Spice Girls, who formed in 1994 after answering an advert in performers’ newspaper The Stage, will be further heightened by a 90-minute documentary to air on ITV on Christmas Eve, featuring interviews with all five members.

Another band source said of the possible reunion: ‘They all have existing work and family commitments. As you’d expect with the biggest girl band of all time they are always receiving ideas and offers.’

Viva Forever!: The musical, featuring Spice Girls songs, tells the story of a four-girl group called Eternity who feature on a talent contest

Similarity: A performer struts her stuff on stage in a familiar costume during the musical

VIDEO: The five spice were reunited on the stage at the opening night of Viva Forever! 

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Victoria Beckham finally joins her Spice Girl band mates at curtain call for Viva Forever

She does Wannabe part of the gang! Victoria Beckham finally joins her Spice Girl band mates at curtain call for Viva Forever

By SARAH FITZMAURICE

PUBLISHED: 22:37, 11 December 2012 | UPDATED: 22:44, 11 December 2012

Victoria Beckham was finally reunited with her Spice Girls band mates at the curtain call at Viva Forever on Tuesday night. 

After arriving late on the red carpet, posing for pictures with just her family and opting to sit with David instead of the girls, the fashion designer was seen taking to the stage with Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm as the show came to a close. 

The girls were seen hand-in-hand on stage at The Piccadilly Theatre as they said a few words about the musical that uses their classic hits. 

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She's decided to join them! Victoria Beckham was reunited with the rest of the Spice Girls as the group took to the stage at the curtain call of Viva Forever

Mel C told the crowd: 'There are so many people to thank, thank you all for being here but the people I'd like to thank is the wonderful cast.'

Mel B added: 'That was f****** great!'

While the other girls laughed off this review, Victoria looked less than impressed hid her face with her hand. 

Emma paid tribute to the writer and gushed: 'I'd like to say thank you to Jennifer Saunders.'

Group hug! The quintet were seen huddling together although Victoria kept her hands free

Someone looks a little embarrassed: After Mel B gave her rude review of the show it left the other girls in stitches but the fashion designer looked embarrassed as she covered her face with her hand

Victoria also paid tribute to Saunders as well as producer Judy Craymer, before adding: 'Thank you to my family for being here, I love you all.'

Geri,  took the mic and said:'There is one woman we have to thank and she is a true woman of girl power, Judy Craymer.'

'We love you Judy. Thank you for making the Spice Girls dream come true!'

Geri took prime position in the middle of the stage and was seen whopping and clapping in delight, but not everyone looked as enthused as she was. 

Reluctant to share? Geri was seen handing Victoria the mic in a cautious manner

Paying tribute to her brood: Victoria thanked her family and told them she loved them

Victoria stood awkwardly at the edge of the group holding hands with Emma. 

As Geri was seen celebrating the fashion designer cast her gaze to the floor, as if she was a bit embarrassed with it all. 

It had looked like getting the five girls together would prove to be an impossible task after Victoria arrived fashionably late with her brood. 

The 38-year-old fashion designer decided to pose for pictures with her boys instead of joining her Spice Girl band mates, who were seen walking the red carpet as a foursome. 

The famous family made quite the entrance as they arrived fashionably late, at The Piccadilly Theatre in London ahead of the performance. 

Beckham brood: While her bandmates posed on the red carpet together Victoria Beckham shared the moment with her family at the press night for Viva Forever

The family were among the last guests to grace the carpet and were said to be late due to traffic. 

But instead of joining her band mates inside the show she decided to sit with her family. 

Victoria showcased a simple but sophisticated look in a pair of black cropped trousers by Isabel Marant, a plain white shirt by her own label, and had a plum wool jacket, also by VB, hanging off her shoulders. 

Say you'll be there: Mel C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Mel B arrived early and were seen working the red carpet together

David looked every inch the proud husband and had dressed up for the occasion in a smart charcoal grey suit by Burberry, and an olive tie.

Brooklyn, 13, Romeo, 10 and seven-year-old Cruz all looked dapper too, in smart black suits also by Burberry.

While Victoria spent time with her family, her fellow Spice Girls made the evening a girlie one.

Geri Halliwell, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Emma Bunton seemed to be having a great time as they posed for pictures together. 

Fashion forward: The 38-year-old fashion designer wore a pair of trousers by Isabel Marant, a white shirt by her own label and a plum jacket, also by her own brand

In demand: Victoria was seen chatting to fans in the crowd ahead of the performance

The foursome arrived nice and early and were seen working the red carpet and greeting fans.

Geri, 40, wore the most startling look of the evening, stepping out in a powder blue strapless gown, that looked like it had come straight out of a fairytale. 

The garment boasted a tiered skirt and rouched detailing around the body. 

Everybody wants a piece of her: Victoria was seen holding hands with one happy female fan

Strike a pose: The mother-of-four was seen posing for pictures with a series of fans ahead of the show

Fashionably late: The Beckham brood, who were all kitted out in stylish designer clothing were part of the last arrivals because they were stuck in traffic

Emma, 36, also opted for a blue ensemble, but chose a lace dress in a midnight shade. 

The outfit had a thigh high split and boasted a tight black dress underneath the see-through material. 

Scary Spice, Mel B, wore a floor-length glittering gown that boasted a thigh-high split rivaling Emma's. 

Just the four of us: Mel B, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Mel C posed up together ahead of the press launch

Group hug: The foursome were seen sharing a cuddle as they stood together on the red carpet

Group shot: The girls were seen posing with their arms wrapped around each other

Remember their old moves: Emma Bunton was seen flashing a peace sign as the foursome lapped up the adoration from the crowd

Wave your hands in the air like you just don care! Geri was seen acknowledging the fans while showing off her tiny waist in her dress

Powder blue: Geri wore the most eye-catching dress of the evening. The dress boasted a strapless bodice and a tiered full skirt with a flowing train

The sequin embellished gown, which boasted a dipped back, was paired with a pair of pointed Louboutin heels by the X Factor Australia judge. 

Jesus Christ Superstar actress Mel C was the only Spice Girl to wear a short dress and showed off her sporty pins in an olive green number. 

Friends and family were there to support the girls, including Bunton's TV presenter friend Leigh Francis, Barbara Windsor and Vanessa Feltz.

Doing the splits: Mel B was seen striding down to the theatre showing off her shape in her sequin embellished dress

What a pretty bunch: Mel B, Emma and Mel C were seen holding white roses

There's six of them! The Spice Girls were joined by Judy Craymer and Jennifer Saunders

Lapping up the moment: Geri and Mel C were seen sharing a joke as they chatted together before making their way into the theatre

The musical stars newcomer Hannah John-Kamen and experienced West End star and former Eurovision entry Sally Ann Triplett.

John-Kamen plays aspiring singer Viva who, along with her three best friends, gets swept up in a TV talent show which turns her life upside down.

The cast also includes comedy actress Lucy Montgomery, who has appeared in The Mighty Boosh and Torchwood, and Bill Ward, whose roles have included Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street.

The show heavily satirises The X Factor, on which Haliwell and Mel B both appeared as guest judges earlier this year.

Having a hoot: The girls seemed to be extremely excited about their reunion

Spice Girls in the making: Mel's husband Stephen Belafonte was seen looking after Melanie's children Phoenix, 12 and Angel, five as well as his own daughter Giselle

Paying tribute: Jennifer Saunders and Judy Craymer, writer and producer of the show both had union jack clutch bags

Familiar faces: Leigh Francis and his wife Jill Carter and Barabara Windsor and her husband Scott Mitchell were seen at the launch night 

The theme of a mother/daughter relationship is also a major part of the plot.

The Spice Girls, all now mothers themselves, previously said they hoped the musical would introduce their music to their young children.

As well as The Spice Girls' group hits, Haliwell's solo single Look At Me and Mel C's I Turn To You also feature.

Girl power: Joan Collins, Arlene Phillips and Faye Tozer also attended the event 

Who knew they were Spice Girls fans: Neil Fox and wife Vicky and Cilla Black and John Madejski

Showing her support: Dawn French was seen beaming with pride at her friend Jennifer's achievements as she arrived at the show with a friend

In the interval Haliwell turned to writer Saunders and said: 'You must be so proud.'

Mum-of-two Emma Bunton was joined by her eldest son Beau, six, and her long-term partner, former Damage singer turned chef Jade Jones.

Haliwell had six-year-old daughter Bluebell with her and Mel B was accompanied by her movie producer husband Stephen Belafonte, and two eldest daughters Phoenix and Angel.

Say you'll be there! Lucy Phelps as Diamond, Hannah John-Kamen as Viva, Dominique Provost-Chalkley as Holly and Siobhan Athwal as Luce

 

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