Mel C proud of 'girl power' role

Mel C has to pinch herself when she thinks back to her days as a Spice Girl.

The singer, 37, who is now enjoying life as mother to two-year-old Scarlet, recently triumphed in her first role in the theatre and is working on her fifth solo album.

She said: "It's sometimes hard to believe it all happened - I mean sometimes you think, 'Wow, that was weird, pretty bonkers, all that attention and acclaim'."

Mel - aka Sporty Spice - added: "We were the biggest band in the world for a time, so while it was a dream come true in some ways it was also tough at times and there were pressures.

"What was great, though, was being able to do the reunion tour in 2007 and really celebrate our success together. And I still feel proud that I'm one of the people that may spring to mind when people think of 'girl power'."

The singer said that her former bandmates met up in February to celebrate Scarlet's second birthday and the sixth birthday of Victoria Beckham's son Cruz.

She said: "It was unusual, because we're all so busy, that we got to spend a whole weekend together with all the kids, so it was a real big deal and great fun.

"Unfortunately, Mel B couldn't make it over from Los Angeles."

© Press Association