The Spice Girls reunion tour will finish earlier than planned after the large amount of UK shows took their toll on the quintet.

A spokesperson for the group yesterday issued a statement explaining that the tour will finish on 26th February in Canada: “Sadly the tour needs to come to an end by the end of February due to family and personal commitments for Emma, Geri, Mel B, Mel C and Victoria.”

“It was announced in June that, as well as the Europe and North America dates, the girls planned to visit Australia, China, South Africa and Argentina.”

“But due to the phenomenal demand for tickets in the UK and US, and the tour’s massive logistics, it was impossible to fit in everything.”

But according to the Sun, the decision was made ultimately made by Melanie Chisholm. An inside source told the newspaper: “Geri and Victoria have been loving the attention and adulation the tour has been bringing the girls in the UK and North America.”

“Mel B has really enjoyed being on stage and performing again. And Emma has found it hard with a young son but was prepared to carry on.”

“But Mel C is the one who always insisted the reunion should be only short-term. Now she wants to go back to doing her own thing.”

“Because they couldn’t all agree, the extra tour dates have been pulled. Touring has been harder on all the girls this time round. But all of them could have been persuaded to continue - apart from Mel C.”