It appears that the Spice Girls were the first group to ever show commercials before their concert and during intermission on the large concert screens throughout their American Tour. The advertisements were apparently very successfull and music industry experts believe the band has opened up a whole new source of revenue.

GERI AND VICTORIA REUNITE FOR DINNER

The foursome walked into an exclusive restaurant in the South of France on Saturday night. They look like two happy couples getting together for a cosy dinner. But between them they have a combined wealth of

around £60 million. Geri Halliwell and George Michael joined Victoria Adams and her fiancee, David Beckham, for the late-night get-together. It was the first time Geri and pregnant Victoria had teamed up since Ginger quit the Spice Girls four months ago.

They were soon laughing and joking, although at times the conversation appeared intense. It gave Victoria, 24, the chance to clear up a few dodgy comments made about Geri by the rest of the girls after she quit. I'm sure the group's current problems with their hapless publicity machine will have cropped up. I understand Geri, 26, misses the camaraderie but is determined to stay pals with her old muckers. "They were having a great time, although the conversation got very serious at times - especially between Geri and Victoria," said one onlooker. "But George seemed happy to be entertained by David Beckham." The group dined on paella and green salad at top eaterie Le Girelier in the jet-set resort of St Tropez. After a two-hour dinner, they adjourned to George's nearby villa Chez Nobby. Geri has been comforted and advised by George since leaving the Spice Girls, staying at his Los Angeles home.

Apparently Virgin records executives are not pleased with the pregnancies of Mel B and Victoria. They are all worked up because the promotional campaign for the 3rd album has
to be reworked and delayed. They are also a bit flustered up about the girls' safe sex song on the 3rd album. Of
course it's a bit too raunchy for virgin to like. They also don't like the idea of the girls being in a video for the
safe sex song while being pregnant.

The girls have completed their 40 City North American Tour.

The Spice Girls have made an official statement on the pregnancy of Victoria and Mel B. The statement is as
follows:

"We are sisters and love each other, and love being together as a band and as friends. We plan to continue on, perhaps adding two new members to the Spice family. Until such a time as we are sure of our news and ready to make a statement we would like to appeal to people to give us privacy during this time. The US tour has been even better than we had imagined and we want to thank all our fans worldwide for being so supportive. We want our fans to know they can expect lots more to come from the Spice Girls - we love performing live and have also been recording for our third album while here on the road."

PREGNANT Spice Girl Mel B and her delighted fiance Jimmy Gulzar plan to marry as soon as the group finish their American tour next month. The pair have already phoned Mel's mum and dad in Leeds to tell them about the baby. Excited Mel has also bought a house and is having builders install a nursery.

A friend told the News of the World: "The baby wasn't planned but Mel and Jimmy are completely thrilled about it. "Mel has tried to keep it quiet from fans for as long as possible. "But now she's more than three months pregnant she is happy for the news to come out. "Her family all know about it and can't wait for her to come home. "She hasn't had morning sickness and is feeling really well. She thinks being pregnant really suits her."

Mel and Jimmy have had a tempestuous on-off relationship but now, said the pal, "Mel can't wait to be a mum.She loves children and has wanted a baby for quite a while." The incredible news, hot on the heels of Posh Spice and soccer star David Beckham's news that they are also starting a family, has started friends guessing who will be a Spice Mum first. "There have been a lot of reports that Victoria is giving birth in February," said the pal, "but as yet neither Mel nor she are absolutely sure how pregnant they are. "They both took tests in America and are waiting to see their own doctors at home in Britain. "They'll know then exactly when they are due to become mums. But everybody thinks that Mel B is going to be the first." "The girls are all thrilled and have vowed to carry on."

The pal went on: "When they return off tour they're all planning to have a big holiday and then they'll be calming down their workload. "They'll be doing things separately as well as with the Spice Girls. "Mel has even just brought out her own record without the rest of the girls and that's the kind of thing they all want to do as well as being Spice Girls. "They have all said for a while that they want to do their own things - I suppose being a mum is one of those things."

Yesterday, Mel B's dad Martin couldn't stop smiling at his semi in Burley, Leeds. When we asked him how his daughter was, he grinned: "Oh, who told you that, then?" He added with a huge smile: "I can't say anything. " When asked if he was looking forward to being a grandad, he grinned again and said: "If my wife wants to say anything, it is up to her. "I am just a bit shocked. How did you find out about it? You're the first of the lot." Mel and Jimmy-a dancer in the Spice Girls stage show-first got together in March. They became engaged just ten weeks later. He proposed over a candlelight dinner in Paris and Mel shrieked with delight as he went down on one knee and presented her with a diamond engagement ring. Mel was in tears and was clapping and shouting. To celebrate they went on to the dancefloor. Mel described Jimmy as the "one person I don't mind everyone knowing about." She has also said: "I'm talking about babies after a substantial rest-maybe in Africa. Then he can become a real house husband. "He's gorgeous, really calm and chilled, a good antidote to me because I'm really manic." But in July the couple suffered an agonising split. Their six-week engagement ended after a bust-up in New York. She said that she and Jimmy were at each other's throats after being together round the clock. "I just couldn't stand it any more," she said at the time. But ten days later the couple kissed and made up.

Mel added: "He's really romantic. He did the whole thing, flowers, apologies, picnics. Now everything including the engagement is back on. " Mel's new family home is an eight-bedroom house in Hampstead, north London. The pal added last night: "Mel wants a very private wedding ceremony. She doesn't care where it is, she just wants to marry Jimmy and have a family." Mel has spoken in recent months about the importance of having her own home. After her engineer dad Martin and shopworker Andrea's 23-year marriage ended, she admitted her heartache. She also confessed that Geri's departure from the group had been "quite a gutter." She said: "If it all goes wrong and you get all upset, you always go 'I wanna go ho-o-ome'. Well I haven't got that now, so I've got to create my own."

Shortly afterwards she bought 42-year-old Andrea a £340,000 mansion in Leeds. Last night the insider added: "Both parents are absolutely thrilled about Mel being pregnant. "It's the news that they needed after all the heartache that has gone on in the Brown family recently." Mel has always said that when she does have children they will be very well protected by her. She was abused by racists while at school and told her sister she wished she had blond hair and blue eyes. Her friend said: "Mel is very protective about everyone she loves." Mel is expected to go ahead with the Spice Girls sell-out dates at Wembley Stadium next month.

Pregnant Victoria has also vowed not to let the band down. The girls have all discussed their futures and have decided that the band has a great future. Last night they performed to another packed house in Phoenix, Arizona. The pal added: "It's a very happy time for all the girls. "Neither Mel nor Victoria want to split up the group . . . and are absolutely delighted that they have agreed to stay together. "They've got fantastic support from their fans and can't wait for the Christmas single to be released."

Victoria Adams is three months pregnant with fiance David Beckham's baby. Victoria, 24, broke the news to fellow Spice Girls Emma, Mel C and Mel B on tour in America.They were stunned but have vowed to carry on as a group.

Victoria and Manchester United star Beckham, 23, had not planned a baby so soon, but are both thrilled. They will wed after she gives birth. Posh couldn't keep her pregnancy a secret from the rest of the band - because she kept getting morning sickness on their U.S. tour.

Victoria, 24, and England soccer idol Beckham had hoped to keep their baby a secret until the group's punishing schedule slowed down. At first, the multi-millionaire couple only confided in close family. But eventually, Sporty, Baby and Scary Spice had to be told as Victoria's condition began to show. And after hours of discussions, they decided they WOULD continue as a band.

Victoria has told the girls she wants to take a lot of time off from their hectic timetable. But she WILL go ahead with their sell-out dates at Wembley Stadium next month.

Victoria's tot - a real baby Spice - is believed to have been conceived in May when Beckham flew out to France to visit her before the World Cup. The couple spent a few precious days together in romantic Paris and in the sunny south just before Beckham began his training with the England squad.

Victoria's younger sister Louise gave birth in May to a baby girl, Liberty Lawrence. Posh has since made special trips back home to Britain to visit her niece. And she is said to be picking up useful tips from Louise.

A Spice insider said: "The whole of Victoria's family are buzzing with the news of the pregnancy. It has been a huge matter for discussion among them all. "Even though it wasn't planned, there was no doubt in Victoria's mind that she would keep the baby. "She is so in love with David and can't wait to get married and have a family. She is very happy. "She never wants to be the one to split up the Spice Girls and is pleased they have agreed to stick together".

They got such fantastic support from their fans as well as getting to No 1 with Viva Forever that they knew they could never split. Victoria is following in the footsteps of pregnant All Saints star Melanie Blatt, 22 - who has also vowed to carry on with her group once she has her baby.

Insiders feared it would be the end for the Spice Girls when Geri Halliwell quit three months ago. Ginger's shock departure during the European leg of the SpiceWorld tour stunned their army of fans across the world. Geri quit after disagreements over the band's future. The 26-year-old redhead wanted greater freedom to go off and do things on her own and felt tied down.

The girls, who have had a record breaking string of No 1 hits, had hoped to release a third album. Their singles Wannabe, Say You'll Be There, 2 Become 1, Mama and Who Do You Think You Are, Spice Up Your Life and Too Much all hit the top of the charts. The girls' run ended with Stop!, which got to No 2. Then they hit back with Viva Forever which stayed at No 1 for two weeks. Their SpiceWorld tour has been a sell-out and the girls are each thought to be worth 13million. Posh and David have been dating for 18 months and were engaged in January. He fell for Victoria as he watched a Spice Girls video and she was captivated as he played for Manchester United.

In January, David proposed at the Rookery Hall Hotel in Nantwich, Cheshire. He handed the millionaire singer a 40, 000 solitaire ring and she splashed out on a 50,000 diamond band for him. The couple are expected to marry next summer with the other Spices as bridesmaids and team-mate Gary Neville as best man. After the engagement, proud David said: "I always said that once I met Victoria I'd always be with her. A couple of months before we met, I was abroad with the England team. "A Spice Girls video came on in the room and I pointed at the screen and said, 'That's the girl for me and I'm going to get her.' I could not be happier right now - I have my dream woman." And Victoria said: "I fancied David long before we met. "I remember doing an interview for a soccer magazine and they showed me photos of different footballers. I just remember thinking one word - gorgeous. "I'm the happiest girl in the world. I'm with the man I'm going to grow old and wrinkly with."

Two months ago, Victoria even admitted that David sometimes wears her knickers. And at a press conference in April, she joked: "I'm practising to get pregnant. " The pregnancy is a much-welcomed happy note for Beckham. Since being sent off in the World Cup against Argentina, he has run a gauntlet of hate from angry fans. And he suffered a flurry of mickey-taking after being snapped wearing a sarong.

August 20, 1998

JOKE SPICE

NO NEW SPICE

Pop singer Louise has reassured her fans that she wants to remain a solo star after reports that she had made a bid to join the Spice Girls. Speaking to an audience of 15,000 at BBC Radio 1's road show in Weymouth, Dorset, she told millions of listeners: "I really enjoy what the girls do, but I enjoy being a solo artist." The singer was said to have been interested in joining the Fab Four after the departure of Ginger Spice, Geri Halliwell.

Courtney Love apparently made a quick call yesterday to Virgin Music Canada's West Coast offices trying to get some tickets to one of the girls' sold out concerts.

SPICE FAN MEETS POSH

An upclose brush with Girl Power left an Edmonton youngster shaking with disbelief after she met her idol. Cassandra Dominelli could barely tumble the words out of her mouth fast enough yesterday as she described running into pop sensation Posh of Spice Girls fame while shopping in Vancouver.

"She's really nice. She's my favorite in the whole wide world, no one else,'' gushed the exuberant nine-year-old. "It's probably the most exciting thing that will ever happen to me in my child life.'' While there was plenty to say after the encounter, when she came face to face with Posh all she could do was stare.

"I still can't really believe it,'' squealed Cassandra, who flew home from Vancouver last night. "I couldn't talk. I was about to faint.'' The trip was a birthday present from her cousin, Christina Dominelli, 22, who also bought a concert ticket for older sister, Melissa.

At 14 years of age, she likes the group but to a lesser degree than Cassandra. Before Tuesday's concert, the group spent a few hours shopping along Robson Street. Lady luck was with the huge fan when she returned to a shop to buy a dress. In the store was Posh, whose real name is Victoria Adams, with a dresser and guard.

The speechless group watched the dark-haired powerhouse leave Shanghai City without buying anything. Christina stayed to pay for the dress, but asked her friend, Rich Kim to take the two girls and follow the singer for an autograph.

"Rich says, 'I know you don't like to get bothered a lot but this girl's like your No. 1 fan,' " recounted the breathless youngster. "And she said, 'Oh you want my autograph?' '' said Cassandra imitating a British accent. "She was hyperventilating,'' recalled Christina. "It's ironic of all the people, this kid from Edmonton meets her favorite star.

She eats, sleeps and breathes Posh.'' Afterward, the cousin and starstruck niece headed into a store across the street where they again ran into Posh. "When she came out of her change room to leave she smiled at me,'' explained Cassandra. "There wasn't many people in the store and people didn't recognize her.'' The youngster plans to frame the concert tickets and the autographed piece of paper that reads, "Love Victoria.'' The two sisters will share the memento.

SPICE GIRLS MAKE HISTORY AGAIN!

The Spice Girls catch phrase "Girl Power" has been added to Roget's Thesaurus as a Synonym for feminism! Although Aussie fans knew this already as in an interview in January the girls told us that "Girl Power" had been added to many dictionaries.

Spice Girls will contribute their track "Walk Of Life" to the "Sabrina: The Teenage Witch" soundtrack.

The Spice Girls helped Grand Toys International Inc. to record sales in the first half of the year. But while sales at the toy distributor were posh, its profits could have been spicier. For the six months ended June 30, net sales were $10.43 million U.S. compared with $10.1 million U.S. for the same period last year. Net earnings, however, dropped to $231,891 U.S., or one cent a share, from $278,637 U.S., or four cents a share in 1997.

Based in Dorval, west of Montreal, Grand Toys distributes Spice Girls merchandise such as party stationary, backpacks and party goods, among other products. The company recently announced a deal with a major U.S. supplier to distribute three-inch and six-inch Spice Girls dolls, which will be available in September.

Heavy shipping to fill the pipelines for Christmas begins in August and ends in November, said chief financial officer Ron Goldenberg, who refused to say what percentage of the company’s sales were Spice Girls-related.

Viva Forever went up to #2 in the Australian charts this week (last week it was #8)

PERFUME SPICE

he girls are considering making a new perfume. This will not be like Impulse Spice, it will be targetted towards an older audience. The girls are considering working the notorious fragrance house Elizabeth Arden.

NOT POSH ENOUGH

Victoria was denied entry into a restaurant in five-star Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. This is because she was wearing a $1280 Gucci mini-skirt that the manager said was too short! The restaurant is $100 a head and the craziest thing is that she was staying in the hotel that the restaurant was in! She instead went to a more relaxed
nearby restaurant.

SPICEWORLD - PART 2

The Spice Girls are in Hollywood and they are reportedly determined to leave Hollywood with a movie deal. The newly fab four are pounding the Hollywood pavement during a five-day stay in Los Angeles as part of their whirlwind tour of America. And while they are there they are reportedly using the opportunity to get the ball rolling on their second film project. In between their Californian dates in Los Angeles, San Jose and San Bernadino, the girls will be meeting with their William Morris agents for a round of high-profile talks. Spice World - The Movie has become a box office success due to its soaring video sales and now the remaining members of the girl group want to repeat their onscreen successes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Victoria has purchased a new Porshe for her father.

For Motor Heads: It is a Silver Porsche Boxster, 2480cc,
six-cylinder, 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds.

Other cars Victoria has bought:

-for David Beckham: a £70,000, midnight-blue 911 Carrera S
Turbo.
-for sister Louise and brother Christian: a £17,000 VW Golf
convertible. (2 Cars)
-for herself: Victoria drives a £35,000 racing green
Mercedes McLaren SLK.

PTI Holding Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement to manufacturer and distribute Spice Girls bicycles, helmets, in- line skates and bicycle accessory products for North America. The company has already received pre-order commitments in excess of $3,000,000 and will begin shipping products during the fourth quarter for Christmas 1998.

Meredith Birrittella, CEO of PTI stated: "We are very excited to have the opportunity to manufacture products under the Spice Girls license. We have already received a great response from retailers across North America over the demand for Spice Girl products. We are developing a broad range of items which will begin to ship during the fourth quarter of this year."

Warren Schaeffer, President of PTI stated: "Acquiring this license is a great benefit for the company. In addition to our stable of power brand licenses, this product line adds a new dimension to the company and makes us stand out from our competitors. Not only do we expect this to do well, it will give us a greater opportunities to further expand our core product offerings."

PTI products are sold nationwide at Toys "R" Us, Target Stores, Sports Authority and Sam's Club

Viva Forever entered the Australian Charts at #8 this week.