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2714: 81 lives

2714: 81 lives

Spectator30-07-2025
Unclued lights feature in the same entry in Brewer.
Across
1 Worked at jobs making decorations for shirts (6)
7 Inkpad destroyed in crime (6)
12 I bite idly, puzzled whether or not something could be food (9)
13 Decorative form returns in piccolo voluntary (5)
16 Gauge very low returns internally (6)
20 Tax collectors dig over unfenced allotment (7)
21 Excess of bright lipstick, on reflection (6)
22 Taxes received for American banks (6)
26 Announced food measure (4)
29 Go and act! (4)
32 Mother icing a confection performs wonders (8)
34 Bowler perhaps back in, I could make spread (6)
35 Could be Rochester Cathedral's central draw-back (6)
39 Short debate is an event (6)
42 In state, 11 worried probationers (9)
43 A teen could be taken in (5)
45 That woman chopped seaweed for money (6)
46 Go back on green (6)
Down
2 One takes on a party exercise with US medical department (7)
3 I'd be silly to wait (4)
5 Accentless Belgian subject (8)
6 Hera then Aphrodite protecting one of their own (6)
8 Fragment of moon found on deserted tundra (4)
9 Northern Japanese sash radiant with touch of yellow for upper classes (8)
10 Later, unusually wide-awake (5)
11 Muse is oddly happy with alimony arrangement (10)
14 Holy Church returning French milk and salt (9)
17 Climb a trail (6)
18 Pursue Grant and Charles eastwards (4,5)
19 Empty compliments for puddings (10)
23 Earth turned over in Home Counties march (6)
25 For instance, good, snowy meringue requirement (3,5)
26 'Precisely! My amphibian', Lee announced (8)
30 Money in West End's first afternoon performance (7)
31 Casually sauntered, having lost a tense client (3,4)
33 Radical film by unknown divides a Conservative from Liberal (6)
38 Thread raised in chenille (4)
40 Sweet and sharp without hint of aftertaste (4)
41 Quite right to organise (4)
Download a printable version here.
A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 18 August. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2714, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP.
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With nicknames like Ginger, Scary, Baby, Posh and Sporty they were an instant hit after releasing the very catchy tune, Wannabe. They were immediately catapulted into superstardom, and soon became household names around the world thanks to songs like Too Much and 2 Become 1. But behind-the-scenes, the band was often plagued by reports of "in-fighting" and "creative differences" - mainly between the girl group's feistiest members, Geri and Mel. Here we take a look at Ginger and Scary's relationship and how it's played out over the years. GERI LEAVES THE SPICE GIRLS In 1998, just two years after the Spice Girls had been propelled to international stardom with Wannabe, Geri announced she was leaving the band. At the time, she said she was quitting because of 'creative differences' and also impact of being in the supergroup was having on her mental health. 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But pressed by host Piers, she admitted: 'She (Geri) is going to hate me for this because she is all posh in her country house and her husband, but it's a fact. 'It just happened and we just giggled at it and that was it. 'We were best friends. Have you ever done that?' And she added of Geri: 'She had great boobs.' Piers asked: 'So just once?' Mel replied: 'Yeah.' Triumphant Piers added: 'This is a bombshell. A Spice Girls bombshell. You have never admitted this before have you? People are going to be fascinated.' Mel said: 'Yeah and I have said it now. All done. She is going to kill me and so is her husband.' She added: 'Hopefully when Geri gets asked that, which hopefully she will after this, she won't deny it, because it was just a thing, a fun thing.' 7 It was reported that Geri and Mel's relationship never fully recovered after the bombshell sex claim Credit: Reuters Speaking to Aussie radio station 2Day shortly after she made the claim about herself and Geri, Mel said: "I couldn't even speak to your producer earlier because I was on the phone with Geri. "I did the interview, but I just texted her and said: 'I admitted on Piers that we had a little bit of a thing but don't worry about it, it was all tongue in cheek and I didn't go into detail.' "'I said: 'This was pre your husband, pre your baby, pre one of my babies. It's fine.' I don't know why everyone's making such a big deal about it." She added: "We had a long conversation. She texted me the night of [the interview] and then we spoke at length today - amongst other things cos we're getting ready for tour right now." However, Geri reportedly was fuming with Mel, with her spokesperson stating at the time that the claim was 'simply not true' and 'very hurtful' to Ginger's family. Geri's husband Christian Horner was also said to be 'mortified' by the claims. 7 Geri was a no show at Mel's recent wedding to Rory McPhee Credit: Splash SKIPPING WEDDING Now rumours of a "reignited feud" between Ginger and Scary have remerged after Geri skipped Mel's wedding. She hasn't given a reason why she was not at the ceremony last month, which saw Mel wed Rory McPhee. It should be noted that she wasn't the only Spicey to miss the wedding, in fact, Emma Bunton was the only one who could make it. However, what was different with Geri was she completely ghosted the whole event, and unlike the other Spice Girls, failed to congratulate Mel on social media. The silence was deafening with reports of a "feud" between the pair emerging once again. All eyes were then on Geri to see if she would be at Mel's second wedding to Rory last weekend in Morocco. Sadly, Spice Girls fans were left disappointed as Ginger was a no show once again.

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