SPICE GIRLS - SPICE GIRLS' AUSTRALIAN FANS HIT BACK AT CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENT

LATEST: The SPICE GIRLS are facing a backlash from fans in Australia after reneging on plans to take their reunion tour Down Under. The Wannabe stars were due to play concerts in Cape Town, South Africa; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Beijing, China; and Sydney, Australia later this month (Feb08) - but due to the high demand for extra performances in London and the U.S., their tour schedule changed and subsequent dates were never officially set. The band - comprising of Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Victoria Beckham - announced last week (01Feb08) that the final leg of their concerts had been pulled due to "family and personal commitments". But devotees Down Under are not impressed and many fans have been bombarding unofficial websites like SpiceGirls.co.uk, as well as the group's official MySpace webpage with messages of abuse. One fan writes: "They have known all along when their kids go to school or whatever. It's a crappy excuse, really it's all just about money... they've made enough now so who cares about anywhere else right?" And other fans have turned their backs on the pop stars for good. Another adds: "I am absolutely disgusted in them. Most of us have been waiting years for this and they have just ruined it all for us. As far as I am concerned, they have just lost another fan. So much for girl power."