‘I arrive on The Voice Kids on a sleigh'

Melanie C opens up about being moved to tears on the talent show, the pitfalls of fame and the future of the Spice Girls

- CHLOE ALEXANDROU

Name one thing that would awaken your inner tween more than chatting on Zoom with Spice Girl, Melanie C. No? We’ll wait…

When we caught up with the star, she was looking forward to coming home for Christmas after her latest stint in LA. Not only will this year feel much more festive than Christmas 2020 did, but Melanie will also get to see the fruits of her labour as the new coach on The Voice Kids.

“I’ve been waiting for this call forever! It’s a very special show,” she tells us when we quiz her on how she felt about being offered Paloma Faith’s swivel seat. “Doing it over Christmas has just added to the magic and fun of it all.”

She’ll be joined by returning coaches Danny Jones, Pixie Lott and will.i.am, all of whom she believes will be “friends for life”.

Melanie promises there’ll be plenty of emotion, heaps of talent and a whole lot of fun for viewers. We couldn’t think of anyone better to coach the up-and-coming stars of today. Having spent most of her life in the spotlight, Melanie, 47, admits, “the music industry is an incredible thing, but there are lots of pitfalls”.

Here, she reveals the advice she gave her protégés, and the hopes she has for them as they forge their own careers in music. And, of course, we couldn’t have Sporty Spice on the line and not ask about the possibility of a Spice Girls reunion. She shares where the band is currently at with plans for another tour, and reveals it’s something they “all passionately want to do”.

Get ready to spice up your life!