The Spice Girls have been gearing up for their hotly-anticipated reunion tour, set to kick off in Dublin in just a matter of hours.
And Emma Bunton, Geri Horner and Mel B treated fans to a glimpse at their preparations on their social media accounts ahead of their performance, which will see the group perform alongside bandmate Mel C, for the first time in seven years at Ireland’s Croke Park Stadium on Friday evening.
Singer Emma, 43, put on a cheeky display before the band’s string of performances as she playfully groped the city’s Molly Malone statue for good luck, while Mel B, also 43, gave her sister Danielle Brown, 38, a tour of the stadium and Geri, 46, shared a sneak peek of her Union-Jack themed accessories she’s set to wear during the show.
Set to take to the stage! Emma Bunton (L), Mel B (R) and Geri Horner treated fans to a glimpse at their preparations on their social media accounts ahead of the first show of the tour, alongside bandmate Mel C, at Ireland’s Croke Park Stadium on Friday evening
In Emma’s hilarious image, the casually-clad radio presenter beamed with delight as she held onto the statue’s cleavage, which she captioned: ‘Good luck from Molly #dublin #firstnight #spicegirls.’
The Molly Malone statue for good luck in Grafton Street was first presented during the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations, and on 18 July 2014, the statue was relocated to Suffolk Street.
Warmly known as ‘the tart with the cart’, the statue’s popularity is clear by the sheen on her ample bosom from where many hands have rubbed the brass away.
Mel’s younger sister Danielle, who recently mended her relationship with her sibling after a decade-long estrangement, highlighted her baby bump in a clingy jumpsuit as she posed alongside the superstar onstage during rehearsals.
Earlier that day, she was every inch the mischievous little sibling as she posted a clip of the musician’s beauty preparations while naked in a bathtub. She captioned the clip: ‘Little sister pay back, she’s going to kill me for posting this.’
Wow-factor! Musician Geri shared a collage image of her glitzy accessories ahead of her show, featuring a gold and diamond-encrusted crown, a personalised pearl ‘G’ for Ginger Spice necklace, and a pair of red and gold bedazzled heels
‘Little sister pay back’: Mel’s younger sister Danielle Brown, 38, was every inch the mischievous little sibling as she posted a clip of the musician’s beauty preparations while naked in the bathtub
With a cunning smirk on her face, Danielle whispered ‘shhh’ before turning the camera to a shocked Mel, who while sporting a face mask, shouted: ‘Heyy, get out!’
Earlier that day, Scary Spice told fans of her excitement as she shared an picture from her bed, alongside a countdown icon till the group’s first performance.
Displaying her bed hair and fresh-faced complexion, the Leeds native screamed ‘f***’ as she eagerly anticipated her gig, and captioned the post: ‘TODAY IS THE DAY SPICE GIRLS FIRST SHOW’.
Musician Geri, 46, shared a collage image of her glitzy accessories ahead of her show, featuring a gold and diamond-encrusted crown, a personalised pearl ‘G’ for Ginger Spice necklace, and a pair of red and gold bedazzled heels.
In one of the pictures, the Spice Up Your Life songstress’ famously red tresses were curled to perfection, which she shared alongside the caption: ‘Tonight at Spice World! Kings! Queens! All races, religions, genders! Whoever you are, we celebrate!
‘Show me how good YOU are!’ Wear your crown, dress to express! See you soon! #houseofginger #welove #weserve #wecelebrate #spiceworld’.
The singer returned to her ginger locks just days earlier, revealing she was going for an image overhaul ahead of the grand tour.
Proving she’s putting in the work before her string of performances, Geri posted a behind-the-scenes shot of the stage she will perform on for the opening night of the tour, serving as the first time she’s performed with the award-winning girl band in seven years.
Spice Up Your Life! Proving she’s putting in the work before her string of performances, 46-year-old musician Geri posted a behind-the-scenes shot of the stage on Thursday, where she will perform on for the opening night of the tour
Wow-factor! The singer returned to her ginger locks just days earlier, revealing she was going for an image overhaul ahead of the grand tour
Nostalgic: On Thursday, Mel C, 45, shared a throwback image of the group with former member Victoria Beckham, alongside a touching caption which read: ‘This was one of the first shoots we ever did, all those years ago! Tomorrow we open #spiceworld2019 in front of 80,000 people in Dublin I cannot wait to see you all!! I’m so excited!!’
The group’s costume designer Gabriella Slade recently revealed that their individual looks will be “respectful of their legacy” of catsuits, crop tops and platform boots.
Slade told British Vogue: ‘There’s a definite honouring of the ’90s, but with a contemporary twist. I really wanted to bring back a sense of what the Spice Girls were, what they stood for. It’s respectful of their legacy … that’s what the fans want.
And the A-list designer wanted to keep each of the Spice Girls’ looks reflective of their own personalities and stay true to each members DNA during their 13-date tour.
Friendship never ends: Victoria Beckham wished her former Spice Girls bandmates Geri, Mel C, Mel B and Emma Bunton well hours before they take to the stage without her, with husband David adding ‘there will only ever be one Posh Spice’ (pictured 1997)
She added: ‘No-one wanted the typical ”girl band” look. The dancers’ outfits will reflect the DNA of that Spice Girl, There are multiple looks for the dancers as well as the girls, that was an important part of their vision.’
Earlier in the day, Victoria Beckham wished her former Spice Girls bandmates well hours before they take to the stage without her, with husband David adding ‘there will only ever be one Posh Spice’.
The popstar turned fashion designer, 45, posted a snap of the iconic quintet performing at the Brit Awards in 1997 accompanied by a touching message.
Look for the rainbow: The popstar turned fashion designer, 45, posted a snap of the iconic quintet performing at the Brit Awards in 1997 accompanied by a touching message
The brunette beauty wrote: ‘Good luck to the girls today as they start their tour! x VB #SpiceGirls #FriendshipNeverEnds @EmmaLeeBunton @TheRealGeriHalliwell @OfficialMelB @MelanieCMusic.’
Former footballer David, 44, showed his support for the band and his wife by posting a sultry throwback of Victoria in the Say You’ll Be There video, where he memorably first spotted his soulmate.
When the hunk saw the video for the 1996 number one single, in which Victoria sizzled in a PVC catsuit, he said to his then Manchester United teammate Gary Neville: ‘That one there, that’s the girl I’m going to marry.’
The smitten sportsman penned: ‘As someone that has lived with POSH SPICE for the last 23 years I know how emotional today is going to be but I just want to wish all the girls good luck with their amazing tour. There will only ever be one POSH SPICE.’
True love: David, 44, showed his support for the band and his wife by posting a throwback of Victoria in the Say You’ll Be There video, where he memorably first spotted his soulmate
The star also shared a glamorous photo of the girlband’s 1997 single Spice Up Your Life with the caption ‘Good luck to the girls today as the tour begins.’
Victoria declined to take part in the tour, with the band continuing as a foursome. It’s now been revealed that the band have done the ‘right thing’ and planned two special sections of the concert which will highlight absent Posh Spice’s role in the group.
A source revealed to The Sun: ‘Everyone was disappointed when Victoria said no. Initially there was frustration and some ill feeling.
‘She still isn’t planning to attend and has done very little to show public support. But the girls want to put any animosity to bed and make a gesture to say as much.’
Heyday: Victoria declined to take part in the tour, with the band continuing as a foursome (pictured 1997)
The insider added: ‘They’ve come up with a tribute to her and she’ll be getting a significant mention on stage in the most glowing terms, visually and verbally. They’ve decided it’s the right thing.’
It’s also been claimed that the group will keep lyrical references to Victoria in a selection of their biggest hits, including their first number one Wannabe. MailOnline contacted the Spice Girls’ representatives for comment.
Mum-of-four Victoria revealed late last year that she would not be joining the comeback tour, with the fashion designer said to have had other work commitments.’
Sharing the news on Twitter, she wrote: ‘Being in the Spice Girls was a hugely important part of my life and I wish my girls so much love and fun as they go back on tour, I know they will put on an amazing show and the fantastic fans past and present are going to have a wonderful time!’