THE SPICE GIRLS are about to launch their own online game.
I can reveal they are working on the idea and reunited in London this week to shoot content for it — but Victoria Beckham is still refusing to get involved.
Geri Horner, Mel B, Emma Bunton and Melanie C met for the first time in more than a year at Black Island Studios in West London to record pieces in front of the camera for the game.
But they are remaining as a four-piece because Victoria doesn’t want to be part of it, and is currently 4,400 miles away in sunny Miami.
A source said: “The Spice Girls are exploring a whole manner of new projects but this one was really exciting to them — their very own Spice game.
“All four women came together on Tuesday at the studios to shoot pieces to camera for it.
“The hope is that it won’t be too long before they get to show it to the fans because it’s something they’ve had in the pipeline for a while.
“It is one of several things they are working on, including an animated film, and they hope it will help celebrate the Spice Girls’ legacy.
“They want to go on tour again as soon as it is viable. But in the meantime, they are enjoying doing these quirky projects, which will make them plenty of cash.”
The Spice Girls reunited in 2019 for a stadium tour across the UK. But Posh Spice, left, decided not to be involved because she did not want to take time away from her eponymous fashion business and suffers from stage fright.
The group then planned to do another tour this year to mark 25 years since the release of their debut single Wannabe.
But they were forced to axe preliminary plans after realising it would be too risky to announce it due to the uncertainty over Covid restrictions.
I’m not convinced that an online game is exactly what their fan base really, really want in 2021.
But if they Wannabe cool with the next generation, perhaps it is the perfect trick.
7
Shawn joins MTV line-up
SHAWN MENDES, Doja Cat and Twenty One Pilots have been added to the line-up for the MTV VMAs, which will be screened here on September 13 on MTV UK.
Chloe, from the sister duo Chloe x Halle, will make her solo debut at the US awards do, where Foo Fighters, Lil Nas X, and Lorde are also appearing.
READ MORE FROM SIMON BOYLE’S BIZARRE COLUMN
Emily wines down
EMILY ATACK was in good spirits as she hopped into her car.
But I doubt she felt quite as fresh by the time she got out at the other end.
7
The actress and comedian filmed two back-to-back shows at the Clapham Grand in South London on Tuesday night, which will air later this year on ITV2.
She said she was unwinding by taking a good glug of booze on the way home.
The former I’m A Celebrity . . . contestant, who had taken her dog Penny out to the show, wrote on Instagram: “Currently drinking a pint of wine on my way home.”
She has been working with her ex, comedian Seann Walsh, on the show – five years after their fling.
That awkward reunion could have provided a few laughs on its own.
Arlo takes AIM
ARLO PARKS was the big winner at last night’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards.
She won the UK Independent Breakthrough and Best Independent Album gongs. Fontaines D.C. and US singer-songwriter Lauv were among other winners.
Catherine’s £70 fee a liberty
CATHERINE TATE fans will probably be using her own character’s catchphrase “what a f***ing liberty” when they see how much she is charging for a meet.
The comedian will appear at Em-Con in Nottingham this weekend where she is insisting on £70 for a photo and an autograph.
7
Catherine, who also starred in Doctor Who, is charging £35 for each.
Fans of the sci-fi series could break the bank if they hope to meet all of their idols there – thanks to the extortionate charges of the guests.
Four of the actors who have played the Doctor in the long-running BBC show over the years will be there: Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann.
But to take a snap with all four of them, you will have to fork out £80.
I’d want a Dalek thrown in at the very least for that sort of money.
Ye old name
KANYE WEST has applied to formally change his name to Ye – ditching the surname and his middle name Omari
The rapper, who released an album called Ye in 2018, has got the ball rolling in the legal system in California.
A judge will now have to approve his application, which can take up to three months.
The only requirement for names in the US is that they are formed from the 26 letters of the English language, so the application is expected to go through without a hitch.
Slipping out, Lily?
LILY ALLEN was ready for a big night out – or a quiet night in – as she left a theatre wearing a sophisticated white gown and fluffy slippers.
Avoiding a wild bender in a London nightclub on Tuesday, or a dash home for a cuppa in front of the telly, she opted for something inbetween by popping into to a restaurant next door instead.
7
Lily has spent the past three weeks starring in West End thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story at the Noel Coward Theatre, which has earned her rave reviews.
But this fashion combo falls short of five stars.
Olivia good 4 credit
OLIVIA RODRIGO spent five weeks at No1 with her single Good 4 U this year, banking her a fortune at the tender age of 18.
But now she must hand over some of that cash after comparisons were made between the track and pop-punk band PARAMORE’s 2007 song Misery Business.
Frontwoman Hayley Williams and ex-guitarist Josh Farro have been added as co-writers and will get a share of royalties after it was suggested Olivia copied their tune.
The credits were handed out to avoid a plagiarism lawsuit, as Paramore were told they could take her to court over the similarities.
Her team are believed to have come to an agreement, with the added writing credits being confirmed by Paramore’s publishers Warner Chappell Music.
Renee’s love lift
SHE is used to being swept off her feet as Bridget Jones – but it was the real thing for Renee Zellweger as her boyfriend scooped her up for a kiss.
The actress is dating Ant Anstead, best known for hosting Channel 4’s For The Love Of Cars.
7
The couple were seen in this romantic clinch in California after Zoe went to cheer him on at a football match.
Fingers crossed this one works out.
Becky’s milestone
BECKY HILL has been in the music industry for almost a decade and is the second most- streamed British woman behind Dua Lipa.
But Friday will mark a huge milestone in her career as she finally releases her debut studio album, Only Honest On The Weekend. Becky hopes it propels her to new heights – most notably a Brit Award.
7
In an exclusive chat, Becky, who is at No3 in the charts with her single Remember featuring David Guetta, said: “It’s been really difficult to gain confidence without having success. Nothing has built my confidence more than getting a Top Three single.
“I’ve worked my whole career to get accolades and to be seen by the industry and public.
“The last time I went to the Brits in 2014, I’d just done Afterglow, and then I vowed I would never go again until I was nominated for an award and, next year, I really want to go!
“This is all the stuff I’ve been working towards for nearly a decade and I feel like finally people are starting to see my hard work.”
Despite her long slog in the industry, she feels no parallels with Raye, who recently hit out and eventually split from her record label after claiming they wouldn’t release her debut album until she’d had more success.
Asked if she felt similar, Becky explained: “No, I didn’t feel like that at all. Raye’s journey is very specific to Raye.
“When the label was saying to me we needed a couple more hits to release an album, I understood. People only want to listen to and buy albums when you’re having success.
“After having a Top Three with David Guetta and hopefully a big single release with My Heart Goes as well, this is a perfect time to release an album.”