The reunited Spice Girls have burst onto the stage at London's O2 arena for their first UK concert in nine years.
The reunited Spice Girls have burst onto the stage at London's O2 arena for their first UK concert in nine years.
"Thank God we're home," yelled Mel B, while Geri Halliwell said: "What a crowd! We love you London!"
"Thank God we're home," yelled Mel B, while Geri Halliwell said: "What a crowd! We love you London!"
Emma Bunton managed without crutches for the show's opener, Spice Up Your Life, despite injuring her ankle earlier this week.
Guests in the audience included R&B star Rihanna and Gordon Ramsay as well as Victoria Beckham's husband David and their sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.
However, the 28-year-old singer - also known as Baby Spice - left the more energetic moves to her four bandmates.
Emma Bunton, who injured her ankle earlier this week, wore an elasticated support throughout the concert.
Fans travelled from across the UK to witness the band's homecoming gig.
After tonight, they'll want to do an album Kevin Hughes, Spice Girls fan at the O2 arena "I burst out crying," said Linzie Freeth from Devon. "I couldn't control myself. I've been waiting for this all my life."
Sophie Bisset, from Sidcup, south east London, described the two hour show as "electrifying" and "wonderful".
"They were as good or even better than they were the first time around," added her sister Katy.
Sold out
Sold out
Tickets for the band's homecoming gig sold out in just 38 seconds when they went on sale in October, according to the show's promoters.
Tickets for Saturday's gig, which cost up to £75, sold out in just 38 seconds when they went on sale in October.
As a result, 16 further London dates have been added, in addition to two nights in Manchester next year.
As a result, 16 further London dates have been added, in addition to two nights in Manchester next year.
Tickets cost up to £75.
Fans turned up in replicas of Geri's famous Union Jack dressThe gigs form part of the girl power quintet's world tour, which kicked off in Vancouver earlier this month to broadly positive reviews.
Fans turned up in replica's of Geri's famous Union Jack dressThe gigs form part of the girl power quintet's world tour, which kicked off in Vancouver earlier this month to broadly positive reviews.
The two-hour show features eight costume changes and a laser-lit stage backed with huge video screens.
The two-hour show features eight costume changes and a laser-lit stage backed with huge video screens.
Alongside songs from their heyday, including Wannabe and Stop, the set incorporates solo hits by Melanie C, Geri Halliwell and Bunton.
Alongside songs from their heyday, including Wannabe and Stop, the set also incorporates solo hits by Melanie C, Geri Halliwell and Bunton.
The tour marks the first time the band have performed as a five-piece since a 1998 gig in Birmingham, shortly after which Halliwell walked out on her bandmates.
The tour marks the first time the band have performed as a five-piece since a 1998 gig in Birmingham, shortly after which Halliwell walked out on her bandmates.
Bunton hobbled off a plane on crutches when she arrived in the UKOn the opening night of the reunion tour, Halliwell referred to the incident by amending the lyrics to the band's debut single, Wannabe.
Bunton hobbled off a plane on crutches when she arrived in the UKOn the opening night of the reunion tour, Halliwell referred to the incident by amending the lyrics to the band's debut single, Wannabe.
"If you really bug me then I'll say goodbye," she sang, adding: "And I did!"
"If you really bug me then I'll say goodbye," she sang, adding: "And I did!"
Dates postponed
Dates postponed
Bunton injured her ankle during the band's final US concert in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Bunton injured her ankle during the band's final US concert in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
The singer has been receiving treatment from David Beckham's doctor in a bid to get fit for the London show.
The 28-year-old has been receiving treatment from David Beckham's doctor in a bid to get fit for the London show.
In the coming months, the five will also perform in Cape Town, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Sydney and Beijing.
In the coming months, the five will also perform in Cape Town, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Sydney and Beijing.
But the original dates for these performances have been cancelled after the band decided to reschedule the tour due to cope with exceptional demand for tickets.
But the original dates for these performances have been cancelled after the band decided to reschedule the tour due to cope with exceptional demand for tickets.
Fan Kevin Hughes, from Cardiff, said the tour would not be the end of the group's comeback.
"After tonight, they'll want to do an album," he said.
"I think in a year's time they'll have a new album and another comeback."
Did you see the Spice Girls show at the O2 in London? What did you think? Send us your comments using the form below.
Did you see the Spice Girls show at the O2 in London? What did you think? Send us your comments using the form below.
