THE artist formerly known as Ginger Spice is no more. Geri Halliwell, 25, has quit the Spice Girls, the pop band second only to the Beatles in chart success.
Halliwell cited merely ''differences'' as the reason for her departure.
Her lawyer, Julian Turton, broke the news. Reading a statement from Halliwell, whose whereabouts were unknown, Mr Turton said: ''Sadly, I would like to confirm that I have left the Spice Girls. This is because of differences between us.''
The statement continued: ''I'm sure the group will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best.''
The remaining quartet were ''upset and saddened'' by the news, but would carry on and fulfil their commitments, including the forthcoming American tour, said their spokesman Alan Edwards.
Reports from the concert in Oslo last week, where the group performed for the first time as a quartet, were enthusiastic.
Ironically, the chief proponent of the much-hyped Girl Power philosophy appears to be a victim of her own making. There was some speculation that a power struggle between Mel B (Scary Spice) and Halliwell was at the crux of the split. The group's chauffeur - who is writing a book about his experience - has been quoted as saying that Mel B - now dubbed Bully Spice - continually harassed Halliwell about her lack of singing and dancing prowess.
The news that Halliwell had been spotted in the close company of former Spice-hater DJ Chris Evans caused a further rift between the girls. The Ginger meets Ginger power meeting only served to fuel gossip-mongers' suggestions that Halliwell was seeking to secure her first step on the media ladder.
She would not be the first to make the transition. Three weeks ago the male teenybop group Boyzone split partly due to lead singer Ronan Keating's wish to concentrate on TV presenting.
The bookies have already slashed the odds on a Geri Halliwell solo single topping the Christmas charts. William Hill cut the price on a solo Halliwell single from 100-1 to 33-1. Though the bookies have proven canny predictors, keeping the remaining Spice Girls at 8-1 favourites to pull off the hat-trick in achieving a Christmas No 1. The proposed title of the eighth Spice Girls single, pencilled in for a July release, is the ironically titled Viva Forever.
Magnus Linklater, the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council, said: ''It is particularly disorientating for those of us who try to keep up with the trends. I had only just managed to name every Spice Girl.''
Ginnie Atkinson, the producer of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, said: ''I can see that young people would be upset about it and the Spice Girls were - or rather are - quite fun.''
Herald columnist Pat Kane said: ''If she plays her cards right, I believe that she'll become the game-show hostess and Queen of Light Entertainment of the 21st century. I think that Cilla Black ought to look to her laurels.''
He recalled: ''When I saw them on tour, Geri looked very cheesed off. Having watched Take That just before they split I think you can always tell who is about to leave. They can hardly get their knees up in the dance routine. Geri's face was tripping her and her legs were like lead piping.''
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