London:

Eleven years after their debut single, Wannabe, swept to the top of the charts, inspiring fans of all ages to proclaim their eagerness to “zig a zig ah”, the Spice Girls finally look set to confirm they are to reunite.

On June 22 following fresh claims that a new album and world tour were planned, the group’s management company, 19 Entertainment, said the band would make an announcement about their future plans next week.

Victoria Adams (now Beckham), Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm got together in 1994 and shot to global fame in July 1996, quickly gaining the nicknames Posh, Ginger, Baby, Scary and Sporty.

Reports of a possible reunion tour have surfaced regularly ever since they went their separate ways six years ago to pursue solo careers, although Chisholm in particular was said to have been reluctant to sign up. Now, amid claims of a £10m deal for each member, it could be that five will become one once more.

Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment said the Spice Girls were set to make an official announcement regarding future plans on June 28, adding, “Given the band’s unique history, you can be sure to expect the unexpected!”

Wannabe spent seven weeks at number one after its July 1996 release. The group’s debut album, Spice, sold 1.8 million copies in seven weeks, making them the fasting-selling British act since the Beatles, and their 1997 follow-up, Spiceworld, shifted seven million copies worldwide in just a fortnight.

But in 1998 Halliwell left the group, citing differences with the members, and although they carried on without her, their final album, 2000’s Forever, did not match their early success. In 2001 they split up.