Thursday, 28 May 2009

Remember when we used to do that... Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton reminisce at Girls Aloud concert

Former Spice Girls Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton took a trip down memory lane last night as they watched Girls Aloud in concert.

Geri, 36, and her new boyfriend Henry Beckwith, 29, joined Emma, 33, and her partner Jade Jones, 30, at London's Wembley Arena to watch the five in action.

No doubt the gig brought back plenty of memories for the former Ginger and Baby Spice, who last performed at the same venue 11 years ago.

Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell leave Wembley Arena after watching Girls Aloud perform
Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell leave Wembley Arena after watching Girls Aloud perform

Concert date: Geri Halliwell (L) drove former Spice Girls bandmate Emma Bunton to the Girls Aloud concert at London's Wembley Arena last night

Geri was the designated driver for the night as she brought Emma, Jade and Henry to see the manufactured band perform the latest show in their Out Of Control tour.

With no red carpet arrivals at the gig, the Nineties pop icons dressed down in jeans and went for the fresh-faced look with barely there make-up.

Geri's daughter, Bluebell, three, and Emma's son, Beau, 21 months, were left safely tucked up at home. As well as way past their bedtimes, the concert would have been far too noisy for their little ears.

Geri wasn't only interested in enjoying the show. The gig also gave her the chance to examine her former protegees in action.

She was one of the judges on TV talent show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and championed Cheryl as a potential member of the group.

Wowing the crowd: Cheryl Cole and Sarah Harding showed off their figures in skimpy fringed outfits on stage at Wembley Arena last night

Speaking last year, Geri enthused: 'I'm so proud of Cheryl Cole. I really fought hard to put her through.

'I love that I opened that little window of opportunity for her and now she’s run with it.'

However, despite Geri's role in forming the girl group, Girls Aloud - and Cheryl in particular - haven't always been so complimentary about their predecessors.

When Spice Girls briefly reformed for a reunion tour in 2007, Cheryl appeared to criticise the group by insisting Girls Aloud would never reform once they split.

The 25-year-old said: 'It just wouldn’t be seemly. When we finish, we’ll finish on top. And there’ll be no comeback.

Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell leave Wembley Arena after watching Girls Aloud perform

Spicy night out: Geri chats on her phone as Jade Jones and Emma climb out of the car

'We could hardly go out as Girls Aloud when we’re old and wrinkly. We would have to call ourselves Old Girls Aloud - and that would never do.'

During her debut as an X Factor judge last year, Cheryl complained too many contestants were telling her they wanted to be as successful at the Spice Girls.

She moaned: 'We've been around for six years - they were around for 18 months.

'We recognise what the Spice Girls did, but it really annoys me when you meet girls who go: "We wannabe the next Spice Girls."

'Yes, they had worldwide domination, but they fell out, bitched about each other and went their separate ways.

Emma Bunton and Jade Jones attend Girls Aloud gig at Wembley Arena

Prime location: Emma grins with delight as she watches the gig

Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Henry Beckwith Girls Aloud concert Wembley Arena

'When we used to do it, we would do this...' Geri gives boyfriend Henry Beckwith a crash course in pop concerts

'We've been around all this time, fighting to climb each step of the ladder, putting our hearts into everything.'

Despite Cheryl's miscount of 18 months, the Spice Girls actually ruled the charts for two and half years before splitting in early 1998.

While Girls Aloud have been going for an impressive six and a half years, they aren't well known outside of the UK and Ireland.

Their closest rivals Sugababes have achieved worldwide success, bar North America, and have sold significantly more albums in the UK.

Girls Aloud kicked off their 32-date UK and Ireland tour in bandmember Sarah Harding's native Manchester on April 24.

They are expected to conclude the gruelling tour in Cheryl Cole's hometown of Newcastle on June 6.

The Spice Girls perform onstage, during the London leg of their World tour Dec 2007

The old days: Geri and Emma with their Spice Girls bandmates Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown in concert in London in December 2007

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