Spice Girls scrap China, Australia, S. Africa gigs

The Spice Girls announced Friday they had cancelled their planned concerts in China, Australia, South Africa and Argentina, shortening their reunion tour.

The British girl group pulled out for "family and personal commitments", a spokesman said. The tour will now finish in Toronto on February 26.

Reports have suggested lack of interest in some of the cities.
The concerts in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney, Cape Town and Buenos Aires are now off.
The dates outside North America and Europe were originally moved to accommodate extra London performances, and never re-set.

"Sadly the tour needs to come to an end by the end of February due to family and personal commitments," a spokesman said.

"It was announced in June that, as well as the Europe and the US, the girls planned to visit Australia, China, South Africa and Argentina.

"Due to the phenomenal demand for tickets in the UK and the US along with the touring logistics for such a massive production it was not possible to fit everything in.
"As the girls return to normal family life and the kids go back to school they are reviewing all the options. Who knows what the future might bring."

Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"), Melanie Brown ("Scary Spice"), Melanie Chisholm ("Sporty Spice") and Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice") started their world tour in Vancouver, Canada, on December 2, 2007.

The Spice Girls said: "We've had such an amazing time over the last three months.

"It's been incredible being back together and seeing our fans again.

"We want to thank everyone who came to see us. It was all so mad the first time round, so we've really been able to appreciate it properly this time.

"There have been so many highlights and good times that we know it will be hard to be apart after Toronto.

"Really sorry if we didn't get to see you this time round. We all have other commitments in our lives now but who knows what will happen next."

The band is playing dates in Montreal, Toronto and the north-eastern United States throughout February.

The Spice Girls formed in 1994 after their management company placed a newspaper advertisement.

Their last tour was almost 10 years ago -- it was during that tour that, on May 31, 1998, Halliwell announced she was quitting. The four remaining girls put out a third album in 2000 before officially splitting in February 2001.

They sold over 50 million records worldwide and scored nine British number one singles in the 1990s.