Talk of a Spice Girls reunion has had fans in a flutter for years, and it looked like the original purveyors of girl power were going to be back in short skirts and high boots for the 20th anniversary of their smash hit, Wannabe.
But Mel C has finally squashed rumours of a five-piece comeback in an essay for LOVE magazine.
Sporty Spice said she was tempted by the prospect of big headlines and (even bigger) earnings, but thought the girls should bow out on a high – and nothing tops the London 2012 Olympics.
She wrote: “There’s a lot to be said for bowing out on a high note. For me, the absolute pinnacle of my Spice existence was being watched by a billion people around the globe belting out Spice up Your Life on top of a black cab at the 2012 London Olympics.
“Anything less than the full line-up just didn’t feel like we’d be doing justice to the band or the fans.”
Given mum-of-four and fashion icon, Victoria Beckham, declined to join the comeback plans, there was no other choice for Mel C if she wanted to reclaim the glory days.
Mel wrote that she had several meetings with band mates Mel B, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton, before deciding to hang up her dancing shoes for good.
She wrote: "The hardest part for me was letting people down, the girls, the fans, civilisation?! Unfortunately something didn’t feel quite right and I had to follow my gut."
Much like Geri Horner who recently opened up about her battle with bulimia, Mel writes candidly about her own struggle with fame during the early 90s – years before everyone had a camera in their pocket and every detail of celebrity life was talked about on social media.
"You see, I’m a singer and songwriter. Not a celebrity,” she wrote.
“The two are very different things. You can earn a fortune being a ‘celebrity’ depending on how much dignity you want to keep in tact."
Mel’s solo career may not have reached the same heights as the Spice Girls, but with a Britney flop at the VMAs, perhaps it’s wise to call it quits when you’re still on top.
She’s no longer Sporty Spice, but Mel looks more (girl) powerful than ever and is looking forward to a new album launch.
What do you make of 90s band comebacks? Should Mel C reconsider? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter (@CloserOnlne).