Spice Girls' launch musical search

The Spice Girls are set to star in a new TV talent show designed to find five versions of themselves for a new West End musical.

The Spice Girls are launching their own TV talent show.

The girl group - consisting of Mel C, Mel B, Geri Halliwell, Victoria Beckham and Emma Bunton - are planning a talent show designed to find versions of themselves for a new musical to run in London's West End theatre district.

The show - rumoured to be called 'Spice Idol' - will see the singers sit on an 'American Idol'-style judging panel and dispense criticism and advice to hundreds of hopefuls.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "This is an idea which appeals to all of the original members. It's a fantastic new way to broaden out the Spice franchise and cash in on their personalities, their story and their songs.

"The girls would have to work intensely on a TV show for a short period of time. But then they can launch a musical which could run for months or even years.

"It will take on a life of its own. The concept could even be replicated in other countries. The sky is the limit with this one."

Geri is said to be the driving force behind the musical, which has been described as a two-hour "pop extravaganza".

The Spice Girls, who formed in 1994, last performed together in Toronto, Canada, in February 2008.