Former Spice Girls singer Melanie C has said the 30th anniversary of the girl group’s debut single Wannabe on Wednesday was a ‘very emotional day’.
The 52-year-old, who was known as Sporty Spice in the band, was speaking at the Nordoff And Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday, where she took home the global impact award.
The singer, whose real name is Melanie Chisholm, said: ‘It was a very emotional day yesterday, we’re all in touch obviously, all of the girls, we’re so grateful and respectful of each other.
‘We came together, and we achieved our wildest dreams, and we changed our lives forever, and the world forever, some would say.’
On Wednesday, all of the band’s members, Chisholm, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell-Horner, posted on social media to celebrate the anniversary.
Lady Beckham said in her post on Instagram: ‘I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since Wannabe came out.
‘The debut single that forever changed our lives, I’ll always be grateful to have been a part of that journey. Thank you so much to our fans for all their love and support over all these years and to my @spicegirls sisters, I love you all so much.’
Mel B – aka Scary Spice – kept her tribute simple, writing: ‘Zigazig ahhhh
Yipppeeee!’
Emma wrote: ‘Happy birthday Wannabe, 30 years! Love you all 💕 thank you!’
’30 years of girl power! Happy Birthday Wannabe🥳 I love you @emmaleebunton @victoriabeckham @officialmelb @gerihalliwellhorner @biffco and Matt Rowe, the song that changed our lives forever,’ Mel C said.
Geri said: ’30 Years of Wannabe … Thank you to my beautiful spice sisters, and thank you to the fans for joining us.’
The 1990s pop group rose to the top of the charts after Wannabe was released in 1996, and went on to become one of the biggest girl groups of all time, achieving nine UK number one singles.
During their time together, the group also achieved two UK number one albums, and are also well known for songs such as Say You’ll Be There, 2 Become 1 and Spice Up Your Life.
Other award winners at the Silver Clefs on Thursday included singer songwriter Sam Fender, who won best live act, Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand, who won best group, Lily Allen, who won the icon award, and Jade, who got best female.
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