The Spice Girls, who are set to announce their reunion on Thursday, came to global attention with their 1996 hit Wannabe, which topped the charts in 31 countries.

Within a year of the release of Wannabe, the Spice Girls were dominating the media, hailed as the most successful girl group of all time.

The Spice Girls celebrated their breakthrough at the 1997 Brits by winning best British single for Wannabe and best video for Say You'll Be There.

Dubbed (l-r) Baby, Posh, Ginger, Scary and Sporty Spice, the group were every marketing man's dream - as the release of these best-selling dolls testified.

Melanie Brown and Victoria Adams were the first of the Spice Girls to fall pregnant, within weeks of each other in 1998.

Geri Halliwell quit the group mid-tour in May 1998, but the foursome continued recording for a further two years, attaining a record ninth number one in 2000.

Although the group never officially split, each of the girls gradually went their own way - embarking on solo careers and, in Mel B's case, acting and presenting roles.

Emma Bunton, aka Baby Spice, won plaudits in the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing. She announced she was expecting her first baby, with boyfriend Jade Jones, in January.

Geri Halliwell, whose solo career included three number one hits, has a baby girl named Bluebell. She recently embarked on a career writing children's books.

Mel C continues to perform solo, recently singing at the Isle of Wight festival. Although she no longer has a record contract, she releases tracks independently.

Victoria Beckham remains in the public eye, following her marriage to David Beckham in 1999. The couple have three sons, and Victoria is pursuing a career in fashion design.