Emma Bunton on trying for more babies and why that Spice Girl reunion has to happen NOW
EMMA Bunton is certainly living up to her Baby Spice moniker.
All of a sudden she goes misty-eyed and announces that her ovaries are twitching.
The reason? She has just spent an afternoon cuddling the latest Spice Girl arrival – Geri Horner’s 12-week-old son Montague George Hector (AKA Monty).
“He’s adorable, just adorable,” she beams.
“He’s a lovely little thing, and I actually felt very broody. I have been spending a lot of time with Geri and she’s so happy.”
So happy, in fact, that it has made Emma, 41, think the time is right to have another baby with her fiancé, former Damage star turned chef Jade Jones, 38.
“Jade so wants to have more babies. It’s whether we are lucky enough. We’re just seeing how things work out,” she says.
But it seems they are under pressure from the younger members of their family – sons Beau, nine, and Tate, five – to get a move on.
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“Tate wrote the sweetest little note to the storks the other day, saying: ‘Please can I have a new baby?’ It’s adorable. He said to me: ‘I’m not sure the storks are real, but I’m going to try!’
“We’re so close as a family and do everything together, so they would really love another member.”
Much like the Spice Girls themselves, after plans to reunite for a huge international tour to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of their iconic debut hit Wannabe were derailed.
First, Victoria Beckham, 42, then Melanie Chisholm, 43, apparently said they didn’t want to be involved.
This news was followed by a surprise 40-second video message posted under the name of GEM – the initials of Emma, Geri, 44, and Melanie Brown, 41.
The trio talked of a celebration that all their fans would be invited to, before teasing: “We hope to tell you soon what you want, what you really,
really want…”
And then… silence.
Six months later, it was reported The Rolling Stones’ manager Joyce Smyth had walked away from the comeback, before a then-pregnant Geri pulled the plug to focus on being a mum.
So what is going on? Are the girls planning to dust off those V-signs for the first time since their London 2012 Olympic closing ceremony performance? Sadly, it would appear the answer is not right now.
“At the moment, it’s so difficult to go: ‘Right!’ Geri has had her baby, and of course has to take that time.
“It’s about finding the perfect time. We want to make it right for our fans. But it would be a shame not to do something.
“We’re always talking about it. I think it would be amazing, so I’m on the case and Geri’s the same.”
During their time together, the Spice Girls sold over 85 million records worldwide, racking up two No.1 albums with Spice and Spiceworld and nine No.1 singles with hits such as Viva Forever, Too Much and Spice Up Your Life.
They also flirted with Prince Charles, were named as “arguably the most recognisable face” of Cool Britannia by Time and have been crowned the 7th biggest-selling group in UK singles chart history.
It makes you wonder what would be left to accomplish if they did come back.
“I think it would be great to bring out another album, maybe with our hits on. It would be lovely to show us performing to a whole new generation. But we can’t wait too much longer, as we’re all getting on a bit!”
The only time Emma’s trademark megawatt smile is on the verge of slipping is when asked what odds she would give on the likelihood of all five reuniting.
“Oh my goodness!” she squeals in horror.
“[To her PR] Help me out on this! Erm... I think, obviously. Er... I’m not a betting girl.”
We can’t wait too much longer for the reunion, as we’re all getting on a bit!
Emma Bunton
During recent interviews, Mel C admitted she was part of reunion discussions until quite far down the line.
But she made the difficult decision to walk away from a rumoured £10million payday for the band for the sake of her mental health, after suffering from depression and an eating disorder at the height of their fame.
She also revealed: “It’s not really doing the band justice to go out as a four-piece.”
According to Mel C, backing out of the reunion made things a little awkward for a while with the rest of the band.
Combine this with reports that Victoria was planning to legally prevent her band mates from performing Spice Girl songs, and it could make for one hell of an, erm, spicy situation.
Not so, insists Emma.
“I’m very much each to their own and have your own time. So, for me, there was never any [tension].
“I’m the same. If I’m going to go off and do something that I’ve been dreaming of, then that’s what you do. No one is ever going to know or feel what the five of us went through. We only have each other. So they are always going to be my buddies that I go to, for all those reasons.”
No one is ever going to know or feel what the five of us went through. We only have each other.
Emma Bunton
Emma won’t comment on Mel B’s recent turmoil, which has seen her mourn the death of her father Martin from cancer and end her reportedly volatile 10-year marriage to husband Stephen Belafonte, amid accusations of violence and forced threesomes.
However, she says that she and Mel B “speak all the time” and it appears that she was the only Spice Girl to attend Mel’s dad’s funeral last month.
Emma definitely prefers to sit on the fence when it comes to answering tricky questions.
There’s no doubt there is a steely glint of determination behind that blonde hair, but it is coupled with a sweet nature that sees her kissing and cuddling all the team.
She obviously doesn’t want to be difficult, but nor does she like to answer difficult questions.
So there is a visible sigh of relief when we move on to more comfortable territory.
She is happy to talk about GEM. The band have written two songs, one of which, Song For Her, was leaked online last November much to their dismay.
“Only because you don’t want to give anyone false hope,” she shrugs.
“The reason we went into the studio is because that’s our happy place. We create something really special when we’re together.”
According to Emma, neither track is likely to see the light of day. She says the recording sessions shouldn’t be taken seriously.
“We really enjoyed it, but it was kind of that moment and just to have fun being together. It’s like our playground.”
And despite rumours of spats – most often between Victoria and Mel B – she says she remains in regular contact with all the girls.
“I sent Victoria a little video the other day, because I was out at a bar and one of our songs came on. I was like: ‘This is our song!’ She texted me back going: ‘Oh my god, I heard that song today as well!’”
After the Spice Girls disbanded in 2000, Emma launched a solo career the following year and had two Top 10 albums, plus hits including What Took You So Long? and Free Me.
While there are no plans for another stab at the charts right now, it’s still on her career bucket list.
“I would love to do some more singing and another solo album, but it’s just making that time,” she admits.
For the past four years, 5am starts have become the norm for Emma as she presents London’s Heart Breakfast show alongside Jamie Theakston.
Last month, the pair won best Digital Radio Programme at the TRIC Awards (AKA the television and radio Oscars) with Emma also scooping Radio Presenter of The Year.
“I was in shock! I felt like: ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve won an award on my own!’ It was very exciting. I came into it really not knowing much about
radio and I’ve learnt so much. It feels wonderful that people are recognising the work that goes into it.”
But she hasn’t stopped there. Emma appeared in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie last year and last month played Beatrix Potter in Comedy Central’s show Drunk History.
She has also added a new string to her bow, launching eco-friendly family brand Kit & Kin, which features a range of biodegradable nappies
and certified natural skin care for mothers and babies.
“It’s been a long process, but I’m so proud of it. I was nervous as it was new, but it feels the perfect fit. I’m very hands-on and bossy, because I’m really passionate about it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
However, there is one project that Emma hasn’t managed to successfully get off the ground yet – tying the knot, after getting engaged
to Jade in 2011.
“There aren’t any plans for a wedding, but we do talk about it,” she laughs.
“I think because both of us are Aquarius we try and live for the moment, so don’t plan things too far ahead.”
Emma started dating Jade when she was in the Spice Girls and he was the lead singer in R&B band Damage.
The pair are about to celebrate their 20th anniversary, having weathered the storms of band break-ups, babies and career wobbles. So what’s their secret?
“Jade is incredible. We get on so well and we’re great friends. I think respecting each other is a big factor, along with making each other laugh. We also take time out to have dates – although not as often as we would like to.”
Flashing the large rock on her ring figure (which Jade picked out himself) Emma admits that she is tempted to finally get hitched this year to mark their latest milestone.
“That would be nice, wouldn’t it? Part of me really wants to organise something. I should get round to it. He already calls me his wife and I call him my husband.
“I’m so lucky to have found him. He has been a real support and is so positive, as sometimes I get nervous or worry about things. He’s a good man to have around.”
There’s no better example of Jade’s unwavering support than when Emma was diagnosed with endometriosis in her 20s and was warned she
only had a 50:50 chance of becoming a mum.
“I’ve always been very maternal, so when I was told that by the doctor, I looked at my mum – who had come with me – and went: ‘What does this mean?’ She got upset and then I got upset.
“It was a tough time, but I have a great family around me, who told me: ‘Be positive, keep healthy and see how it goes.’
“If it got to a point where we felt we needed to do anything differently, or needed help, then we would have gone down that road. Luckily, I did Strictly Come Dancing [in 2006, finishing in third place] where I was the fittest I’ve ever been and fell pregnant naturally.
“I was so pleased, because obviously it’s a scary time and you’re not sure how it’s going to end.”
She says the condition has disappeared since she had children, much to her relief.
“I don’t think people talk so much about the pain that it causes. It was terrible pain, and I remember my doctor saying to me at the time: ‘How have you gone through the pain, as you’ve had this for a long time?’ But I just thought it was what we all go through [as women].”
Life for Emma now firmly revolves around her children.
“Weekend is real family time. I’m mainly on a football pitch somewhere watching Beau or seeing Tate in shows, as he goes to theatre lessons on a Saturday.
“He’s already showing much better potential than I ever did – he’s got great tone and is learning guitar. He’s very musical and is always hitting notes and doing harmonies. If he wanted to follow in my footsteps, I would be supportive – that’s all you can do.
“I’ve been really lucky because I’ve had an amazing time in this industry. I would encourage him to be in a band, so then he’s got that support. I was around other girls and I felt like we really looked after each other.”
With the next generation in full swing, let’s hope it won’t be long before the originals get back together and show them how it’s done.
Kit & Kin is available now at .