Mel C has finally "embraced" being a Spice Girl.

The 39-year-old singer initially "rebelled" when the five piece group - which also included Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham and Mel B - split in 2000, but has since come to terms with her nickname and her legacy.

"Some people have finally seen there's more to me than Sporty Spice. In my mid-twenties I found it irritating that people never thought I could do anything else. It is my legacy and I'm really proud of it but, after working with the girls, I just wanted to rebel. As the years have gone on, I really embrace being a Spice Girl and I'm really proud. I'll always be Sporty Spice but it's nice to be recognized within the entertainment world for being able to do other things as well."

Although Mel and the girls have gone their separate ways, they try to reunite regularly so their children can spend time together. "We try to see each other as much as we can. Geri and Emma [live nearby] so we tend to see each other more, but whenever Melanie's back in town we hook up. Now Victoria lives here we see her less which is crazy, but she's back in Los Angeles at the moment. We try and get together and get the kids together," she added.