Spice Girls

The Spice Girls musical playing in London's West End is called Viva Forever!, but its run will last only six months. It was confirmed today that Viva Forever! will close early in June, despite the best promotional efforts of Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, and Victoria Beckham. Due to poor ticket sales and worse reviews, backers of the production say they could not make the financials work. In a statement the Girls expressed their own thoughts, saying, "Although Viva Forever won't continue in the West End, we are thrilled that the thousands of people who came to the show had as much fun as we did."

As if it wasn't exciting enough seeing all five Spice Girls back together for the first time in years last week, the group have now decided to give fans the chance to buy a piece of classic fashion from the good old days. Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Mel B and Mel C made Union Jack dresses, platform trainers and catsuits the uniform of the '90s and now they're auctioning some of their most famous costumes from the last 16 years to raise funds for Save The Children and Children In Need. A star-studded benefit gala will be held to coincide with the launch of musical Viva Forever in London's West End this December.

Unfortunately Geri's 1997 Brit Awards Union Jack dress won't be up for grabs as it's on display at Las Vegas' Hard Rock Cafe, but Ginger Spice's basque minidresses, Scary Spice's leopard-print all-in-ones, Sporty Spice’s Adidas tracksuits and crop tops, Baby Spice's babydoll shift dresses and Posh Spice’s black leather and PVC dresses are expected to go under the hammer. Victoria first came up with the idea at the end of their 2008 reunion tour, and told the Daily Mirror: "I’ve got all my costumes still. I can’t wait for Harper to grow a little so she can have some. But the rest I’d like to put up for charity, I think it would be a fantastic thing to do." Which piece of Spice Girls fashion history would you most like to own?

Last night I attended the InStyle and Lancome pre-BAFTA's party at Shoreditch House and caught up with Mel C, who looked gorgeous in a black ASOS jumpsuit and some classic black peeptoe shoes. She told me and FabUK she wasn't staying too late because she's in the studio at the moment, but she had time for a quick chat with us and shared her excitement over the latest Spice baby and engagement news as well as chatting about the Brit girls she finds inspiring:

• You must be so happy for Emma Bunton on her engagement and baby news, and Victoria too!
  Emma's engaged, she's having a baby, Victoria's having a baby again, it's a really exciting time for all of us girls. We saw Victoria in December and she kept it really quiet, I didn't have a clue! I think it's really nice — Emma and Victoria being pregnant together, when one of your friends is pregnant it's really nice to share the experience together.
• Does it make you broody again?
  You know what, I would like to have more children, but you have to do it when it's the right time for you don't you? My little girl is so fantastic, I'm just really enjoying her at the moment.
• What are you working on at the moment?
  The new album! It's going really well, I'm really excited. I'm working mostly in London, we're doing some writing in Germany and Sweden as well. I'm here with Jodie Harsh tonight, we're doing some dance stuff together. I've worked with Andy Burrows, we did some stuff together. I'm working with lots of people I've worked with in the past and a lot of new people as well, I'm doing a lot of experimenting and seeing what comes of it all.

To find out which fab current singers are inspiring Mel, and what's happening with the Spice Girls musical, just read more

• Emma Bunton didn't say anything about a Spiceworld sequel — Emma's Twitter
• The new Tron Legacy trailer's getting Comic-Con excited — Amy Grindhouse
• Dita Von Teese is messing with minds — Holy Moly
• Are your cartoon crushes in this top 10? — Handbag
• Meet the six potential new Big Brother housemates — Channel 4
• Lindsay Lohan's jail time will make her money — theFABlife
• Justin Bieber could end up a victim on CSI — Hecklerspray
• I Am Kloot answer some questions — PopBitch
• The Dream filed for divorce fron Christina Milian nine days before she gave birth — SoFeminine

The men and women walked the Brits red carpet this evening, before taking their seats for the show. Geri Halliwell and Mel B accepted the Spice Girls' award for Most Memorable Performance of 30 Years (when Geri wore that dress), while Liam Gallagher threw Oasis' gong for Album of 30 Years into the audience! Dizzee Rascal was delighted to get his first ever Brit for Male Solo Artist, and Jay-Z received the International equivalent before his awesome performance with Alicia Keys. Dizzee's duet partner Florence Welch won British Album.

JLS won British Single and were named Breakthrough Act, while Lady GaGa received the International version after her tribute to Alexander McQueen. GaGa also won International Album plus International Female Solo Artist, and Lily Allen got the British equivalent (her first Brit), which she collected in an orange wig! Ellie Goulding was the Critics' Choice, Kasabian were British Group, and Robbie Williams was hounoured for his Outstanding Contribution.

To see the full list of winners, just read more