Spice Girls announce an early end to their world tour

The Spice Girls today announced an early end to their world tour.
The pop superstars - currently in Canada - initially said they would tour Australia, China, South Africa and Argentina as well as Europe and the U.S.

But today they blamed "family and personal commitments" for scrapping ending the tour at the end of this month before they got to play many of the planned destinations.

However, they left fans throughout the rest of the world hopeful that they may one day still see their idols play live, hinting: "Who knows what the future might bring!"

In a joint statement, the girls said: "Really sorry if we didn't get to see you this time round.

"We all have other commitments in our lives now but who knows what will happen next."

They added: "We've had such an amazing time over the last 3 months. It's been incredible being back together and seeing our fans again.

"We want to thank everyone who came to see us.

"It was all so mad the first time round, so we've really been able to appreciate it properly this time.

"There have been so many highlights and good times that we know it will be hard to be apart after Toronto."

Calling it an "important tour announcement", a statement on the Spice Girls' website explained: "When the Spice Girls reunited for the first time as a 5 piece in 9 years last June announcing The Return Of The Spice

Girls tour, no-one was quite sure how the world would respond. "Certainly no-one could have predicted just how phenomenal the demand was eventually going to be.

"Within days over 1 million people in the UK alone had registered for tickets as well as 3 million people in the US.

"The Spice Girls are in huge global demand and since reforming they have received literally thousands of requests and offers to play in almost every country in the world.

"When tickets went on sale for the first UK show at The O2 Arena they sold out in a record breaking 38 seconds.

"It was clear this was going to be no ordinary tour.

"Within days the girls extended their 02 run to an incredible 17 shows. If it hadn't been for other tour commitments they could have continued to add dates. "Spice fever was well and truly back."

The statement on their website continued: "The Return Of The Spice Girls tour finally kicked off to global critical acclaim in Vancouver on the 2nd of December 2007 and this stage of the tour will finally come to an end on February 26th in Toronto.

"Within that time the girls will have performed shows in the US, UK and Europe to well over half a million fans.

"The icons of girl power are still at the top of their game. The girls have been stunning audiences with their high-energy performances and have brought back some much needed fun, excitement and glamor to the music world."

It added: "In the US the LA Daily News reported, 'They may just be better than ever on this tour', and that the tour 'wasn't a comeback at all, it was an upgrade'.

"The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, 'The Spice Girls is the reunion that matters this year. Spice Girls prove they have staying power'.

"In the UK the Independent On Sunday commented, 'Brassier, bolder and better than ever. This was a spectacular show.'

"The News Of The World claimed, 'Those girls are STILL amazing on stage. What a show - everything all the mad fans could hope for after ten long years of waiting.'"

But the statement then explained: "Sadly the tour needs to come to an end by the end of February due to family and personal commitments for Emma, Geri, Mel B, Melanie C and Victoria.

"It was announced in June that, as well as the Europe and the US, the girls planned to visit Australia, China, South Africa and Argentina.

"Due to the phenomenal demand for tickets in the UK and the US along with the touring logistics for such a massive production it was not possible to fit everything in.

"As the girls return to normal family life and the kids go back to school they are reviewing all the options, who knows what the future might bring!"

The Spice Girls also said: "We've had such an amazing time over the last 3 months. It's been incredible being back together and seeing our fans again.

"We want to thank everyone who came to see us.

"It was all so mad the first time round, so we've really been able to appreciate it properly this time.

"There have been so many highlights and good times that we know it will be hard to be apart after Toronto.

"Really sorry if we didn't get to see you this time round.

"We all have other commitments in our lives now but who knows what will happen next."

By Lee Brown, Feb 01 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy