Mel C channels her Sporty Spice roots in Liverpool kit as she makes surprise appearance during Tom Grennan's BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend set

Daily Mail​

24-05-2025

She became known to millions of Spice Girls fans as Sporty Spice during her time with the pop group.
And Mel C proved she's still got it as she made a surprise performance during Tom Grennan's BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend set on Friday.
Announcing his special guest, Tom, 29, told the crowd: 'Liverpool is her manor, so make sure you make the biggest noise when I say this name.'
Mel, 51, appeared on stage dressed in a full Liverpool FC kit with a shirt marked with a nine on the back.
Meanwhile Tom, who had gone backstage to change, appeared moments later in a full Everton FC kit with a blue top that was marked with a seven.
Together, they stood side by side to create the number 97, which was a tribute to the number of Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.
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The pair shared the spotlight as Mel performed her 1998 hit 'When You're Gone,' originally a duet with Bryan Adams.
Earlier in the day, Tom revealed his 'anxiety has taken over' in recent months after undergoing an ankle operation.
The Little Bit of Love singer, 29, is gearing up for 'one of the biggest shows of his life' on Friday night as he closes the opening day of the festival.
But the usually energetic performer is not '100 per cent' for the big night after spending eight weeks recovering from an ankle tendon injury.
In a candid interview with MailOnline, Tom - who has been open about his struggles with mental health throughout his career - spoke about the affect the injury has had on him over the past few months.
'I'm a person like every body who suffers with anxiety and mental health,' the performer said.
'I've got a bad ankle, I've had to have an operation to get a tendon rebuilt so I was in a boot for eight weeks. It's not good, it's a long recovery. I think that's where a lot of my anxiousness over the past few months has come from.
'So we'll see what I can do tonight, I'm going to have to get it strapped up - I'm still not comfortable with it. I think that's where a lot of my anxiousness over the past few months has come from.'
Meanwhile Tom, who had gone backstage to change, appeared moments later in a full Everton FC kit with a blue top that was marked with a seven.
In a heartbreaking interview on Pete Wicks's podcast earlier this month, the singer revealed the crippling anxiety he suffered after being the victim of a random street attack when he was just 17.
The attack - which saw Tom get 'held by three guys and pounded in the face' - left the Bedford-born vocalist scared to leave his home.
Throughout his career however, Tom has had some 'great friends' in the music industry who have helped him get through his struggles.
'My good friend Roman Kemp is a person I can speak to - he's been a big advocate for mental health so we speak a lot,' he told MailOnline.
'Harley from Rizzle Kicks, he's a really good friend and someone I can speak openly to. My manager as well - there's more but I think definitely those three I can fully trust.
'A lot has happened in my life over the last few months where anxiety has taken over but it's important to have that too - it means I care.
'When I hit the stage, it's a different energy. It's like football, when you're in the game everything melts away. It's the same on stage, nothing else matters when I'm up there.'
Tom too revealed that he's been working on a new album - which he says will not have any features.
'No one wanted to work with me,' he joked.
The new album is set delve into Tom's 'struggles with different aspects of my life, whether it's alcohol or drugs. I've opened up about my life, from being a kid to now, family and relationships.'