It’s been 18 years since The Spice Girls broke our hearts

Anyone else feeling old? It's hard to believe that it's been 18 years since Geri Halliwell broke all the Spice Girls fans hearts. On this day in 1998 she announced that she would be quitting the band due to differences between the girls. Her spokesperson read out this statement:

"Sadly I would like to confirm I have left the Spice Girls. This is because of differences between us. I’m sure the girls will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best. I have no immediate plans. I wish to apologise to all the fans, and to thank them and to everyone who has been there. Lots of love, Geri."

The moment that broke Spice Girls' fans hearts across the globe #OnThisDay on May 31st, 1998! ? #spicegirls #90s pic.twitter.com/7tB2EQupeG

— Spice Girls (@SpiceGirlsNet) May 31, 2016

It was HUGE news at the time. Every newspaper featured Geri as the lead story and how the relationship between her and some of the girls drove her out.

#OnThisDay: Geri announced to the world she had left the Spice Girls 18 years ago on May 31st, 1998! ? #spicegirlspic.twitter.com/KQpjbNS8am — Spice Girls (@SpiceGirlsNet) May 31, 2016

The band had only been together for two years and was hugely successful with 7 UK number 1 singles and 2 UK & Ireland number one albums until that time. To add insult to injury, even though she said she didn't have any immediate plans, Geri went on to release her first solo single the next year. Look At Me, her debut solo single reached the second position while her next four Mi Chico Latino, Lift Me Up, Bag It Up and It's Raining Men all hit the number one spot on the UK charts. The rest of the Spice Girls continued without Geri but called it quits in 2000 after releasing their final album, Forever. And forever it is. Once a Spice Girls fan, always a Spice Girls fan.