haircolle: Spice Girls were rivals

Spice Girls were rivals, admits MelMELANIE Brown has finally admitted The Spice Girls' worst kept secret - that her and Geri Halliwell were bitter rivals in the band's heyday.However, she dismissed rumours that a continuation of the rift caused the girl band to cancel their world tour prematurely.

In a new interview, Mel B reveals how she regularly disparaged Ginger Spice's dancing ability as the group were rising to stardom in the 1990s.

Brown says she still critiques Geri's moves, but now without venom.She told Grazia magazine: "I tell her when she gets it wrong. In the old days I may have done it in a bitchy way, but it's much more sisterly now. I want her to look fantastic and get it right."She continued: "Everybody knows that Geri and I have had our problems in the past because at one stage we were inseparable and that can never last, but having time apart and then coming together has been incredibly healing. We have a real bond."

Mel B denies claims infighting lead the group cutting short their tour, saying: "The stories suggesting the end of the tour was anything to do with rows are completeTour dates for concerts in Australia, China, South Africa and South America were cancelled a few weeks ago, with the girl group citing family commitments for the decision.