Spice Girls fans have been left disappointed after their hopes for a reunion tour were dashed.
The iconic pop group had left a cryptic video on their Instagram page on Wednesday, sparking tour speculation.
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, available in 7″ colour vinyl as well as CD, will go on sale from 6 November.
A series of unreleased tracks and demos – including Do You Think About Me, one of the group’s earliest recordings – will be featured in the collection, along with a special anniversary message from each of the Spice Girls.
While some fans were excited to get their hands on the new boxset, others were left feeling deflated.
“I’ll tell you what I want! What I really really want…..A TOUR WITH ALL 5!!” wrote one follower underneath 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 had shown a newspaper lying on the stairs of London’s St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, where the promo for Wannabe was shot, as the famous song played in the background.
The newspaper was revealed to be The Stage, the same publication that ran the original ad seeking artists for an all-female group in 1994.
A page within the paper was then revealed, showing an advertisement looking for Spice Girls devotees.
“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 reunited for a tour in 2019, Victoria insisted she wouldn’t join her former bandmates on stage as her focus remained on her successful fashion business.
Fans had hoped for a comeback tour to mark the 30th anniversary of Wannabe and their debut album Spice this year.