'I'm so lazy, I needed a personal trainer to lose my baby weight', reveals Emma Bunton

The likes of Hollywood stars Jessica Alba and Nicole Kidman managed to get back into shape in a matter of months after giving birth.

But for former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, regaining her svelte figure has taken her well over a year.

Admittedly, she said, because she needs pushing to hit the gym.

Emma Bunton pictured looking slim and back in shape

The 32-year-old, who lives in London with 13-month old Beau and boyfriend Jade Jones, revealed she eventually had to get a personal trainer because she lacked discipline to exercise alone.

Just eight weeks after she had her first child, Emma was back on stage for the Spice Girls reunion tour.

The star, who is hosting the ITV1 talent show For One Night Only on Sunday, says she felt self-conscious on stage because of her fuller figure.

Emma at the Pride of Britain Awards last week and, right, showing off her fuller figure last December at the O2 Arena while on tour with the Spice Girls

But more than a year on, she has finally returned to a trim size 8-10 after getting help from a personal trainer.

She said: 'I couldn't exercise on my own.

'I usually need someone to come and give me an extra push.

'I try to work out two to three times a week and doing a bit on the treadmill as well.

'Being over 30 and having a baby, your body changes and I have to get it up and running a bit these days.'

And perhaps another reason shifting the weight was so difficult can be put down to Emma's sweet tooth.

The former Spice Girl who starred as a guest judge alongside Dannii Minogue on last week's X Factor, told Closer magazine: 'I've got a really sweet tooth so after a healthy dinner I might have a little bit of dessert.

'I'm careful but I'm not too precious about it.'

Down-to-earth Emma said touring with the Spice Girls just eight weeks after giving birth was 'absolute madness'.

She said: 'I remember being on stage during the first show, feeling really self conscious.

'But then I told myself that everyone knew I had just had a baby.

No one was expecting me to be in perfect shape.'

Now Emma is buzzing about her former bandmate Mel C's pregnancy. She said: 'She'll be the most amazing mother.

She's an absolute natural with children.'

Emma looked confident in a black minidress as she helped X Factor judge Dannii Minogue select her final three contestants

What will your fiancée say, Gareth? Gates' flirty night with Emma Bunton's cousin

Gareth Gates appears to have quite a lot of explaining to do to his new fiancée Suzanne Mole.

Pictures have emerged of the Dancing On Ice star flirting with blonde Hayley Louise Hughes, a cousin of pop star Emma Bunton.

The pair met up at a Spice Girl's concert in December and partied together at an aftershow bash before catching a cab together back to a London hotel, according to reports.

Cosy: Gareth Gates with Emma Bunton's cousin Hayley Louise Hughes at a Spice Girls after party in December

Hands on: the Dancing On Ice star gets close to the blonde on the dance floor

Days later on New Year's Eve, the 23-year-old singer proposed to Miss Mole, 32, who he has been dating for five years.

The snaps were posted on Miss Hughes' Facebook page. In one, Gates is seen grabbing her thigh while cosy up on the dancefloor.

A source told The Sun: "Hayley was chatting to Baby Spice then Gareth came over to join in the conversation.

Hijinks: Gareth belts out a tune as they leave the venue together in a cab

Not shy: the pictures surfaced on Hayley's Facebook site

There was an instant attraction. Hayley does look a lot like Suzanne.

"They were getting really cosy all night then got a taxi back to a hotel."

Before beginning his relationship with Miss Mole, Gareth's famously had a three-month affair with glamour girl Jordan.

Family: Hayley, who reportedly works in admin, with her cousin Emma Bunton

The buxom model - real name Katie Price - published intimate details of their dalliance in her autobiography, in which she bragged about taking the the young pop star's virginity.

While Gates initially denied the romance, he later confessed they had been together.

Gates met Miss Mole, a dancer from Newcastle, at the Record of the Year awards in 2002. They currently live together in a three-bedroom flat in south-west London.

When asked about marriage in April last year, Gareth said: "The way I have been brought up, that's what it's about for me.

"It doesn't suit everybody, but for me life is about marriage, lots of children, a massive house.

"If that's what my life is like, I will be happy.

Spice Girls cancel their world tour 'after both the Mels quit

The Spice Girls have cancelled their world tour after just two months of performances and two continents amid reports of poor ticket sales.

So far, they have performed in the UK, Canada, the US and in Madrid and Cologne in Europe.

But instead of playing dates in Australia, Argentina, and China the five will finish the reunion tour in Toronto on February 26.

Mel B and Mel C are said to be fed up of the reunion tour

In the run up to the tour Victoria reportedly tried to eat more to deal with the group's dance regime

However, despite citing family commitments as their reason for cutting the tour short, sources close to the group say the two Mels did not want to continue.

After they were presented with a new tour schedule the friend said to the Daily Mirror: "Mel B wasn't having any of it. She misses her husband and children and said she couldn't go on. She's also been flooded with US offers after her success on Dancing With Stars.

"Mel C agreed it was time to call it a day. She was the least excited about it. She also feared it might jeopardise her solo career."

Officially, a spokesman for the girls said: "Sadly the tour needs to come to an end by the end of February due to family and personal commitments for Emma, Geri, Mel B, Melanie C and Victoria.

The groups stuck loosely to the characters they had when they first formed: Ginger, Sporty, Baby, Posh and Scary

"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.

Sparkling: The Spice Girls' London shows were sold-out show in London

"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."

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.

The Spice Girls will be dissapointing fans in three continents by cancelling the rest of their tour dates

"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 tour was originally meant to last until June but the dates in Cape Town, Buenos Aires, Beijing and Sydney were first cancelled apparently so the group could play extra nights in London. They had not been rescheduled.

The spokesman told the Mail then: "The plan is for these dates to happen."

But last night the spokesman admitted: "The decision came out of America. The girls want to get back to their families - it's not about lack of demand.

"Sorry - we appear to have been duped."