SO Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has left the group to apparently pursue a solo career. Ginger Spice issued a statement through Chris Evans' PR company, Freud Communications on Sunday confirming her departure due to 'differences' between band members. It's believed Halliwell discussed her shock career move in a two-hour meeting and a series of phone calls with fellow ginger-top Chris Evans over recent weeks.

But, what will the remaining Spices do without the one with most, er, front.

Will they carry on as a four piece, after all they have a sell-out American tour to honour along with hoards of other commitments.

Will they follow Take That and split soon after Robbie's departure, always a dodgy bet as not every member has a voice to carry them alone.

Or will they recruit another Spice Girl and continue to belt out number one hits and sell millions of albums - since the Spice Girls debut single in July 1996, they have sold more than 30 million albums.

We hit the streets of Bolton to ask some of its young women a few spicy questions.

Is there life after Ginger? Will the Spice Girls split and, if they do recruit a new member, should it be a Ginger Spice or a completely different one?

Nicola Faughey from Farnworth hopes the group will split up sooner rather than later, she's put a tenner on the odds they'll break up before Christmas.

The 15-year-old Bolton College student says: "I reckon they'll split up before Christmas because that's what happened to Take That when Robbie left. I hope they do, I've bet £10 they will.

"When an original member of a group leaves, the formula is all wrong. It just won't work without her.

"Mind you if they did recruit another member I think they should get a completely different one. How about Slapper Spice, that would be a good one."

Business student, Yolande Blower is another one who reckons the group will go their different ways before long. Yolande, 18, from Farnworth, says: "I think Geri was the leader, the one with a business mind. Perhaps the others won't know what to do without her.

"If they're going to recruit another one they can have me, I would be Tipsy Spice because I like to go out and have a good time."

Yolande laughs: "Surely that's a 'must' to be a Spice Girl."

Hairdresser, Vicky Morrell from Little Lever is certainly a perfect candidate for the new Ginger Spice.

Her fiery red locks, tinged with blonde, make her ideal for stepping into Geri's platforms.

Vicky, 17, and a hairdresser at Ralph Kleeli, Churchbank, laughs: "I 've lost count how many times I've been told I look like Ginger Spice because of my hair.

"I suppose I could join the group as the new Ginger Spice but, to be quite honest, I don't think I'd fancy it.

"Anyway," she adds, "I think they'll split up now Geri's left. And once Posh Spice marries Beckham things won't be the same."

Elizabeth Ramsden, from Tonge Fold, thinks the group may well split, but she thinks they should recruit a new member and call her Loud Spice.

The 23-year-old laughs: "They're all on the mouthy side, so a Loud Spice would be perfect. Maybe she could keep them in line and stop all the squabbling."

Bolton College student, Charlie Everton says she certainly wouldn't want to join anything like the Spice Girls.

"But I don't think they'll be around for much longer," says the 17-year-old from Walkden.

"They'd started to lose it anyway and now Geri's gone, I think that's it."

She added: "It won't be much of a loss though."

Charlie's friend, Michelle Taylor, also 17 and from Edgworth, agrees.

"Yes, they'll definitely split and I think they'll try to forge solo careers.

"But the only one with any real talent is Sporty Spice. She's the only one who can sing."

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