Just over a week ago, many Spice Girls fans were left stunned when Mel B claimed that she had bedded bandmate Geri Halliwell (now Horner) back in the day. Needless to say, the revelation Spiced Up many a person's life, with followers of the group needing to know if two really did become one.
Now, Geri - otherwise known as Ginger Spice - has finally responded to the steamy rumour. Her response? Stop Right Now - 'cause it never happened!
Making her first official comment on the story, Ginger Spice issued a statement to the Mail Online on Sunday (UK Mother's Day), claiming that tales of a sexual relationship between her and Mel B were "simply not true" and had been "very hurtful" to her family.
An official statement reads:
"It has been very disappointing to read about all these rumours again, especially on Mother’s Day of all days. Geri loves the Spice Girls: Emma, Melanie, Melanie and Victoria [Beckham]. She would like [the fans] to know that what has been reported recently is simply not true and has been very hurtful to her family. Moving forward, Geri can’t wait to see the girls and all the fans on the tour, have an amazing time with everyone, and make some new memories."
In addition, the 46-year-old - who is mum to Bluebell, 12, and Monty, two - wished fans a Happy Mother’s Day, shortly after posting a tribute to her own mother Ana María, using the Spice Girls lyrics 'Mama I love you'.
Her denial leaves fans to choose sides on who they believe is telling the truth. The claims were first made in a broadcast clip of Piers Morgan's Life Stories, where the British journalist was seen asking Scary Spice: "You were coming here to be brutally honest - did or didn't you sleep with Geri Halliwell? Did you sleep with her?"
Looking awkward, the pop star first tried to dodge the question, telling the host: "Yeah. We all slept in a bed together, but not like that, all of us."
However, when Piers pressed her harder - asking "Did you sleep with Geri like that?" - Mel smiled and nodded, adding: "She's going to hate me for this because she's all posh in her country house with her husband, but it's the past."
The camera then cut to fellow Spice Girl Mel C, who looked flabbergasted by her bandmate's confession.
After the moment went viral, the pair were hit by claims that the alleged hook-up was not just a "one-time" thing, with a friend allegedly telling The Mail on Sunday that it was a case of "lust at first sight" when the two met for the first time in 1994, aged 18 and 21.
One friend claimed: "It was in the very early days of the Spice Girls and their relationship lasted far longer than one night – it was at least 12 months."
An insider reportedly told The Sun that Geri was upset over Mel B's allegations and said it has "done damage" to their friendship.
"Mel messaged the girls to tell them about what she had said after filming the interview, but she didn’t even say sorry," they claimed. "She needs to do some serious grovelling to make up with Geri. This isn’t something she’s going to forget easily."
So, Spice Girls fans - whose story are you buying?
