Geri Halliwell claims Winston Churchill was 'the original Spice Girl'

Pop star was interviewed ahead of the huge Spice Girls reunion this year

Geri Horner, née Halliwell, aka “Ginger Spice”, has made the claim that former prime minister Winston Churchill was “the original Spice Girl”.

The pop singer was speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times when she was asked whether Theresa May would make a good addition to the iconic girl group.

“She’s doing her best with what she’s got, so she deserves a bit of support for that, for God’s sake,” Horner replied.

However, the tactful answer led to a more audacious claim that Churchill is “the original Spice Girl” because he “won a war for us and he got fired”.

“Even Winston Churchill got fired,” Horner said. “Did you know that? He won a war for us and he got fired. For me, Winston Churchill is the original Spice Girl. That is the one to follow. What prime minister or president has walked out with people going, ‘Oh, he done a good job’? No one.”

Her comments about a man being the first Spice Girl are unlikely to go down well among fans who fell in love with the group that pioneered "girl power" during the Nineties, with many already posting negative reactions on social media:

The Spice Girls announced their hugely anticipated reunion tour last year, which will three shows at Wembley Stadium as well as performances in Cardiff, Bristol, Manchester and Coventry.

Geri Horner, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, and Emma Bunton will all return to the stage. However, Victoria Beckham, aka “Posh Spice”, will not be joining them, after ruling out an appearance on the tour despite admitting she will feel “left out” when it takes place.

Speaking to The Guardian, the former band member – who is now a full-time fashion designer – said: “I’m excited to see it. And I’m sure when I’m there and they are on stage, there will be a part of me that feels a bit left out. Because even after all this, a part of me will always be a Spice Girl.”