Geri Horner, née Halliwell, aka “Ginger Spice”, has made the claim that former prime minister Winston Churchill was “the original Spice Girl”.

The pop singer was speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times when she was asked whether Theresa May would make a good addition to the iconic girl group.

“She’s doing her best with what she’s got, so she deserves a bit of support for that, for God’s sake,” Horner replied.

However, the tactful answer led to a more audacious claim that Churchill is “the original Spice Girl” because he “won a war for us and he got fired”.

Spice Girls – in pictures Show all 23 1 /23 Spice Girls – in pictures Spice Girls – in pictures 1997 Spice Girls performing at the Brit Awards ceremony PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1996 File photo dated 02/12/1996 of pop group the Spice Girls. The band is believed to be gearing up to announce a UK stadium tour for 2019 - but as a four-piece without Victoria Beckham. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday November 5, 2018. The Spice Girls, formed in 1994 and one of the most successful acts of that decade, have not performed together since the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012, and they last toured together 10 years ago. See PA story SHOWBIZ Spice. Photo credit should read: PA Wire PA PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1997 Spice Girls outside the Martinez Hotel in Cannes, during the 50th Cannes Film Festival PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1996 File photo dated 22/10/1996 of the Spice Girls. The band is believed to be gearing up to announce a UK stadium tour for 2019 - but as a four-piece without Victoria Beckham. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday November 5, 2018. The Spice Girls, formed in 1994 and one of the most successful acts of that decade, have not performed together since the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012, and they last toured together 10 years ago. See PA story SHOWBIZ Spice. Photo credit should read: Michael Stephens/PA Wire Michael Stephens PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1997 Prince of Wales with the Spice Girls at the Royal Gala celebrating the Princes Trust 21st Anniversary in Manchester PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1997 Spice Girls arriving at the Empire, Leicester Square, for the gala premiere of the film Spice - The Movie PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1997 Prince Harry with Mel B, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1997 The Prince of Wales and Nelson Mandela with the Spice Girls at the presidential residence Mahlamba Nalopfu in Pretoria, South Africa PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1998 File photo dated 08/04/1998 of pop queens, the Spice Girls, at their first open British news conference where they announced more live dates for this summer. The band is believed to be gearing up to announce a UK stadium tour for 2019 - but as a four-piece without Victoria Beckham. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday November 5, 2018. The Spice Girls, formed in 1994 and one of the most successful acts of that decade, have not performed together since the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012, and they last toured together 10 years ago. See PA story SHOWBIZ Spice. Photo credit should read: Dave Kendall/PA Wire Dave Kendall PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1998 Modena, Italy PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1999 Unveiling of their wax doubles at Madame Tussaud's Rock Circus in Piccadilly PA Spice Girls – in pictures 1999 Mel B, Victoria Beckham, Mel C and Emma Bunton launching their book 'Forever Spice' PA Spice Girls – in pictures 2000 Posh, Scary, Sporty and Baby arriving at the launch party of their new album 'Forever PA Spice Girls – in pictures 2000 Emma Bunton, Mel C, Victoria Beckham and Mel B celebrate after their finale performance at the Brit Awards where they received the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award PA Spice Girls – in pictures 2000 MTV Europe Music Awards in Stockholm PA Spice Girls – in pictures The Spice Girls kicking off their reunion tour in Vancouver in 2007 Reuters Spice Girls – in pictures 2007 File photo dated 12/12/07 of the Spice Girls unveiling the new name, Spice One, of a Virgin Atlantic Jet at the Flight Path Museum at Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles. The band is believed to be gearing up to announce a UK stadium tour for 2019 - but as a four-piece without Beckham. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday November 5, 2018. The Spice Girls, formed in 1994 and one of the most successful acts of that decade, have not performed together since the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012, and they last toured together 10 years ago. See PA story SHOWBIZ Spice. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire Ian West PA Spice Girls – in pictures The Spice Girls perform at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2007 Reuters Spice Girls – in pictures Undated handout image showing the Spice Girls (clockwise from bottom) Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham & Melanie Brown in their latest promotional still. The band is believed to be gearing up to announce a UK stadium tour for 2019 - but as a four-piece without Beckham. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday November 5, 2018. The Spice Girls, formed in 1994 and one of the most successful acts of that decade, have not performed together since the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012, and they last toured together 10 years ago. See PA story SHOWBIZ Spice. Photo credit should read: 19/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. 19 PA Spice Girls – in pictures 2012 Spice Girls performing during the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 London Olympics PA Spice Girls – in pictures 2012 The Spice Girls perform during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Reuters Spice Girls – in pictures 2012 The launch of Viva Forever, a musical featuring songs from the Spice Girls PA Spice Girls – in pictures Geri Horner, Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton and Melanie Brown announced they will kick off a six-date UK stadium tour in June 2019 in Manchester as a four-piece without Victoria Beckham Dawbell/PA

“Even Winston Churchill got fired,” Horner said. “Did you know that? He won a war for us and he got fired. For me, Winston Churchill is the original Spice Girl. That is the one to follow. What prime minister or president has walked out with people going, ‘Oh, he done a good job’? No one.”

Her comments about a man being the first Spice Girl are unlikely to go down well among fans who fell in love with the group that pioneered "girl power" during the Nineties, with many already posting negative reactions on social media:

The Spice Girls announced their hugely anticipated reunion tour last year, which will three shows at Wembley Stadium as well as performances in Cardiff, Bristol, Manchester and Coventry.

Geri Horner, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, and Emma Bunton will all return to the stage. However, Victoria Beckham, aka “Posh Spice”, will not be joining them, after ruling out an appearance on the tour despite admitting she will feel “left out” when it takes place.