New image of Spice Girls ahead of 'tour announcement'

The Spice Girls are expected to announce they are reuniting for a UK tour next year - but without Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham.

Baby Spice Emma Bunton confirmed the reports when she was pressed for information from her Heart breakfast radio show co-host Jamie Theakston.

"Everything will be announced just after 3 o'clock today - on social media, @SpiceGirls," she said.

Theakston asked Bunton about claims a video message will be released from the band later revealing stadium tour dates for 2019.

But all Bunton would say was: "After 3 o'clock today you will find out everything. I'm just so excited. I want it out there. It will be brilliant."

An account has been set up on Instagram called @SpiceGirls which shared an image of the four-piece; Scary Spice Melanie Brown, Baby Spice Emma Bunton, Ginger Spice Geri Horner and Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm.

They will be touring without Beckham who is focusing on her fashion business.

The bio section for the Instagram account says: "Official Spice Girls Instagram account #GirlPower #FriendshipNeverEnds"

The band have not performed together since the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012.

Speaking on Loose Women Mel B said she hopes Beckham might change her mind about joining the tour.

She confirmed that only four of them were signed up and said: "She's got a full-on life with all of her work commitments and her fashion line and her kids, so, she's just kind of not committing just yet."

She added that she had kept the tour a secret for "five, six months" and that "all the wheels are in motion".

The Spice Girls formed in 1994 and were one of the most successful acts of the decade, with hits such as Wannabe, 2 Become 1 and Viva Forever. They went on hiatus in 2000.

The Spice Girls performed as a four-piece for two years after Halliwell quit the band in 1998.

Victoria and Mel C both attended Friday night's Global Gift Gala charity fundraiser held in London.

Victoria shared a photograph of them together on Instagram, writing: "So proud of @melaniecmusic X fantastic performance tonight!!! X #friendshipneverends #girlpower kisses VB."

In July, Mel B confirmed they would reunite this year.