RADIO 1 (May 2001)

Geri Halliwell has Sunday Lunch with Zoe Ball

Zoe Ball returned to Radio 1 standing in for Jamie, and while she did, she got the chance to interview the girl on everyone's lips... Geri Halliwell. Just like Eastenders, everyone's talking about her. What about her weight... she's lost loads in the past few months, looking stunning and tanned at the Brits recently. Or what about her mysterious relationship with Robbie - are they or aren't they? And of course, she's topped the charts with her cover of 'It's Raining Men'. Geri is in demand.

So, Zoe starts off by asking what she's up to at the minute. And it turns out, she's been in Germany's version of Big Brother! "They've got the same thing, and they have a guest star... a music act" enthuses the pint-sized popster, "And I did that."

"Are you happy to be back in the saddle? Y'know as in back at Number 1, looking good, being everywhere..." asks Zoe.

"I am actually, I'm really really having a good time. Especially performing."

"You really, really do. I was watching you on Top of the Pops, when you came down in the bubble chair in that frock! You looked beautiful, love!"

Getting down to the nitty-gritty, Zoe questions Geri on her mental state: "You're very analytical of yourself aren't you? You give yourself quite a hard time sometimes."

"Yeah, it's been noted I do that."

"Is it quite nice to be able to talk to people and tell them about everything?"

"I bore myself. Sometimes I just think 'Oh God, shut up' Me, Me, Me, Me, Me. Other people are far more interesting."

"Let's talk about the exercise thing" says Zoe, presumably wanting to pick up some tips!

"I took up yoga after I had Woody, 'cos I'd had quite a bit of weight to lose.

How often do you do it a week?"

"Yoga? Twice a week."

"Is that all?"

"Or, when I get off a plane or something, I stand on my head to stretch."

"It's hard though, isn't it? People don't realise how hard it is! Probably not for you now, as you've done it so much..."

"No!" protests Geri,"It is - it's discipline, and I have none!"

"People think it's very calming, and it is, but it's hard, you need a lot of strength don't you?"

"Yeah, it depends what type you do, but we were discussing earlier, we like the relaxation bit at the end!"

But, the green eyed monster creeps in, and Zoe comes out with it: "If I do yoga, Geri, why don't I look like you?!?"

"You look like your gorgeous self, with a fabulous pair of boobs, I have to say" replies Geri!

"Y'see, that is the nice thing, they have stayed!" says Zoe, going girly! "Either that or I'm pregnant again. Now people are banging on about what you eat and everything, and you are much thinner than you were, are you happy that way?"

"You know what, I think it's about feeling good in your own skin, and what shape your mind's in, and I'm ok - every day's different - sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm sad... it's about your mind."

"How do you keep so strict with yourself for eating, cos that's my problem"

"It's not about being strict, the minute I start being strict and having to go on a diet, then it all goes pear-shaped and the opposite... makes me want to overeat, and eat cookies. And then you think - 'I'll be good tomorrow, I'll start tomorrow, so I'll get it all in today'. If you think you're never going to eat something again, then you're going to want it more - so I say, just for today - keep it in a day..."

"And take it a day at a time."

"Yeah - a day at a time, and eat three meals a day. So I'm looking forward to my mashed potato that I'm having shortly...!"

Moving on, Zoe mentions the recently repeated documentary Geri made about her split from the Spice Girls. "I watched the documentary again a couple of weeks ago. When you see it now, does it make you cringe?"

"I haven't watched it back."

"I think you were really brave to do that..."

"Brave or mad. Yeah, but I was just like, in a bad space at the time."

"How's Mr [George] Michael?"

"Mr Michael is deep in studio at the minute. You're gonna get an album out of him sooner or later! He's writing away!"

"Do you see him regularly, George?"

"I haven't seen him for a while, cos I've been busy. But actually, I called him this morning - and he doesn't pick up his phone. But I think he's in the middle of the studio, so we'll let him off."

Digging for some dirt, Zoe also asks about rumours of a film Geri might be starring in! "You can't tell anyone what it is yet, can you?"

"No" replies Geri, "And I don't want to say until I'm really doing it. It's such a fickle old business."

And moving onto the biggest bit of gossip surrounding Geri recently - Zoe asks why she is single? "You've got a Number 1 single, your album's out tomorrow, you're really thin, you've got a tan, things are going well - you haven't got a man. Is there anyone you fancy? I could set you up."

"You know what, I just think everything in it's own time. Don't look and then it comes. I like to think there's a soul mate for everybody. Maybe I'm just too immature at the moment."

"How old are you now?"

"28. I feel like I'm eight though. And I think I'm shy when it comes to boys. I'm like Slim Shady on the stage. I'm like 'Yeah! Yeah!' ...but when it comes to it, I go bright red!"

source: radio1