Spice Girls fans were left disappointed when the prospect of a reunion tour failed to come to fruition.
The legendary pop group had posted a cryptic clip on their Instagram page on Wednesday, sparking speculation about a tour.
However, on Thursday afternoon, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, Mel B and Mel C confirmed the release of The Singles Collection, a complete set of every single the group released.
“The Singles Collection. ALL the singles. ALL the B-sides. And a few surprises from the vault…,” read the announcement on the Spice Girls’ Instagram page.
“For the first time ever, they’re all together in THE SINGLES COLLECTION. 14-disc colour vinyl + CD box sets. Original artwork + B-sides.”
The boxset, issued in both 7″ colour vinyl and CD formats, will be available from 6 November.
A assortment of unreleased tracks and demos – including Do You Think About Me, one of the group’s earliest recordings – will feature in the collection, alongside a special anniversary message from each of the Spice Girls.
While some fans welcomed the opportunity to grab the new boxset, others felt deflated.
“I’ll tell you what I want! What I really really want…..A TOUR WITH ALL 5!!” wrote one follower beneath the Instagram announcement.
“What a waste of excitement,” commented a fan, while another warned, “millennials prepare for tears…. no tour.”
The teaser video released on Wednesday showed a newspaper lying on the stairs of London’s St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, where the Wannabe promo was filmed, with the iconic track playing in the background.
The newspaper turned out to be The Stage, the same publication that ran the original advert seeking artists for an all-female group in 1994.
A page within the paper was then revealed, featuring an advertisement inviting Spice Girls enthusiasts to respond.
“R U a Spice Girls fan with the ability to sing and dance? R U a superfan, a collector, a music lover?” read the notice.
While Mel C, Mel B, Emma and Geri had joined forces for a 2019 tour, Victoria maintained she would not join her former bandmates on stage, choosing to focus on her thriving fashion business instead.
Fans had hoped for a comeback tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Wannabe and the Spice’s debut album Spice within the year.
