48hr Melanie C 450

On the new baby Beckham, and mummy madness..

Sporty Spice Mel C will be sick of baby showers by the end of this year. Three of her former bandmates are expecting babies in quick succession, and she couldn't be happier for them.

"It's an exciting time for us with Mel B, Emma and Victoria all pregnant," she beams.

"They're radiant, and doing great. Any additions to the Spice brood is always good news!" And as mum to her own two-year-old daughter, Scarlet, Melanie, 37, will be on hand with plenty of advice for close friend Victoria Beckham, who's expecting her much-wanted baby girl in July.

"Because I've got a daughter myself, I know she'll love it. I feel I've got a little buddy in Scarlet and I'm really pleased for Victoria."

These days, Spice Girls reunions are few and far between. With the Beckhams and Mel B over in LA and Melanie, Emma and Geri based in London, it's hard to co-ordinate their jam-packed diaries for a get together.

Mel says: "We've had our ups and downs over the years but we went through something so unique together, it's a bond that will never be broken. We may drive each other crazy but we know we'll always be there for each other and are really close. We're all mums now and more laid back."

Thankfully, all the Spice kids get on well too. "The Beckham boys are so lovely," says Melanie. "They're pretty boisterous, but well behaved. Victoria is a strict mummy and instils a lot of discipline and respect in them.

"They are always very sweet when they visit. Scarlet's much smaller than them but they're gentle and take care of her. Geri's daughter Bluebell is such a sweetheart too and very motherly with Scarlet, so that's lovely to see. If they ever formed a supergroup when they were older that would be interesting!" So will the Beckham boys be chasing after Scarlet when they're all older? "I'm afraid she already has a boyfriend and that's Emma's little boy Beau," laughs Melanie. "He's absolutely gorgeous. We're giving them a healthy nudge towards each other.

"Cruz is a little bit too old for her anyway!" On body issues, and beating depression..

Mel was 35 when she gave birth to Scarlet in 2009. After struggling with clinical depression and an eating disorder in her 20s, she says all her problems are now behind her. And she reckons it's all thanks to her little girl and partner of nine years, property developer Thomas Starr, 43.

"Having a baby totally eradicated any problems, fears and even the negative relationship I had with food," she says. "It was a really healing thing for me. I put on a healthy amount of weight during my pregnancy and for me it was time off to relax, not exercise and have a dessert when normally I would have turned it down. I was proud of my bump and felt really special."

However, as the last Spice Girl to become pregnant, she admits the pressure was on. "There were all these stories about 'Mel C, the only Spice Girl without a baby'," she says. "It could have been hurtful if I was struggling to conceive but I got pregnant quickly."

Melanie decided to try for a baby with Thomas following the hugely successful reunion world tour with the Spice Girls in 2008.

"There's never a right time to have a baby and I was always so busy," she says. "Thomas thought I was hilarious because I scheduled it in! I'd done the tour with the girls, then promoted my solo record and done a small tour of Canada and I was ready for a break.

"We'd been wanting to start a family for a little while so I said: 'Here we go, this is a perfect opportunity. We will have a nice little holiday and I'll get pregnant.' He said: 'It's not as simple as that.' But it was."

She's clearly relishing motherhood. "Scarlet's at a great age," she smiles. "She's so affectionate and is always telling us how much she loves us."

48hr Mel C and baby 450

On expanding the family, and the baby blues.

.So are she and Thomas read not in my immediate plans," that it will happen." dy for more kids? "We'd love another child but it's " she says. "Definitely in the next few years. I hope Following her past experi concerned about getting th says. "But I had loads of com like Emma, popping in all th "I had a lovely pregnancy emergency caesarean. Altho early days, as time went on more confident." iences with depression, Melanie admits she was he baby blues. "It could have gone either way," she mpany. My mum came to stay and I had friends he time. I think that really is the key.

y and felt very relaxed, even though I had an ough I was scared and sleep deprived in the and it became more rewarding, I felt more and On life after Spi being a bride.. ce, and why Since the Spice Girls split in 1998, Mel has carved out a highly successful solo career, selling a staggering 10 million records and working with acclaimed producers including William Orbit. She also starred in the West End production of Blood Brothers and was nominated for an Olivier Award for her role.

She's now due to start recording her fifth album, which is pencilled for release this autumn and includes collaborations with club promoter and DJ Jodie Harsh. But, although she's fiercely proud of her work, she says her priorities have changed since Scarlet's arrival. J"It doesn't matter as much anymore," she says. "I've got my little girl. She's the most important thing i her and her father."

s in my life - She's clearly still smitten Thomas, almost a decade s first met on holiday in Barb However, Mel insists that t be tying the knot any time "I'm missing the bride ge laughs. "Spending lots of m wedding just doesn't intere rather buy a lovely new kit know most girls grow up w dreams of weddings but In n with since they bados. they won't e soon. ene," she money on a est me. I'd tchen. I with never did."

However, Mel clearly adores her partner of nine years.

"Thomas is brilliant," she says. "We've got lots of similar interests. We both love music and he's very supportive of my work. When I was offered Blood Brothers, he wouldn't hear of me saying no to the opportunity even though it stopped us doing anything socially for six months. He's a hands-on-dad too. Scarlet's got him wrapped around her little finger. But Mummy's still number one! I make sure of that."

On Viva Forever, and Olympic hopes..

While 2011 is shaping up to be the year of new babies for the Spice Girls, next year will see a reunion of sorts. Stage musical Viva Forever, based on Spice Girls songs, written by Jennifer Saunders and produced by Mamma Mia's Judy Cramer, is due to open in the West End.

"We're all looking forward to Viva Forever," says Melanie.

"Just to have our music performed night after night will be amazing and will make the songs available to a new generation."

And what about rumours the girls will be reuniting one last time to perform at the Olympics? "As far as I know, none of us have been approached about it," says Melanie. "But it would be a wonderful thing to do."

For now, Melanie is clearly very happy with her lot and she looks healthier than ever.

"It's always irritating when you read this but running around after my little girl helps me to keep fit," she says. "I go to the gym a couple of times a week and I like going out on my bike when I can. I just keep moving, that's the key.

"I eat healthily during the week and indulge a bit at the weekends. Otherwise you just end up miserable. I don't worry about my appearance and I haven't had any Botox yet.

"I will try and stay as natural as I can for as long as I can but I'm not against a little help!"