Spice Girls reforming without Posh?

The Spice Girls are rumoured to be returning for a new album and tour, but minus Victoria Beckham.

According to the Daily Mail, the band are considering a talent show to find a replacement for Posh Spice, while Sugababe Heidi Range has also been suggested as a possible substitute.

A source told the newspaper: "The girls are going it alone without Victoria. They are keen to get back together and were trying to work out if they could do it as a four-piece. I think they know this is the last chance for them to get the band going again.

"But the Spice Girls as a foursome is not going to get them another record deal or sell out big venues. They need an extra cherry on the cake. And the cherry on the cake would be if they replaced Victoria.

"And that leads to the next question: who do they replace her with? At the moment it's all being done in a very cloak-and-dagger way and not through official channels."

The spokespeople for Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown, Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton have neither confirmed nor denied rumours of a reunion or TV talent show.

Beckham's publicist said: "Victoria respects all of the girls and will always support them all personally and professionally."

Rumours of Beckham's lack of enthusiasm for a reunion follow the first night of the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever!, when she reportedly arrived late, missed a photoshoot and kept her distance from the other girls before leaving the after-party earlier than the rest of the band.