The Spice Girls won’t be performing for Nelson Mandela at his 90th birthday celebrations in Hyde Park, according to singer Mel B.

The girl group, who reformed at the end of last year for a world tour, had been linked with the London event, which is expected to feature Eminem.

However, speaking to the BBC, Mel B said that the Spice’s “have a lot of stuff going on”.

“I know that I'm here working probably until the end of the year but I know I don't have a break,” she said. “But he's a great guy. I can't believe he's 90.”

When asked what she would say if Mr Mandela asked them to perform, Mel B said she wasn’t “quite sure if we have been asked”.

“But I know that we're not going to be performing together at all for quite some time right now,” she added.

Tickets for the Nelson Mandela concert, which will feature Leona Lewis, Queen and Razorlight, are available by a registration system only.

(by Jason Gregory)