BBC correspondent Ishbel Matheson on the trail of Missing Spice

Ginger Spice's low profile has added to confusion over whether she will return to the fold in time for the start of the US leg of the band's tour next week.

When five become four

Press speculation about a rift began when Ginger failed to appear with the rest of the group on the National Lottery draw show on Wednesday evening, apparently because of a bout of gastroenteritis.

Ginger Spice: missed appearances

It grew to a frenzy when she was missing again from the 8,600 capacity concert in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday.

Tabloids claimed there had been "blazing rows" among the five-strong band.

But a statement from the group said Ginger was only missing because of gastroenteritis.

Ginger also ruled out singing in Friday's concert in Oslo, but the girls insisted that it would be all systems go again once they switched to the United States.

Publicists 'in the dark'

However, on Friday afternoon the group's publicists countered that they were still in the dark about Geri's absence.

Posh Spice: Performed without Geri in Oslo

A spokeswoman said: "We just don't know. We have no idea. We haven't been able to find out anything."

Rumours of a rift were fueled by reports that Geri was seen with DJ Chris Evans last weekend - leading to speculation that he had advised her about a radio or solo career.

But Evans has been unable to throw any light on the future of the Spice Girls or the whereabouts of Geri.

"I have no idea where she is. I have not heard from her," he said.

"I did have lunch with her the other day, but we did not talk about the future of the Spice Girls."

Rumours denied

The group's spokeswoman said: "All we know is that she's got a stomach bug and we've got a couple of missed shows.

"It just seems to be whipping itself up into a bit of a frenzy. To be honest we don't know anything about a split. We've been told she's ill and that's it.

There is no word of a split on the website

"People are jumping to conclusions and fearing the worst. It was the same when they announced a press conference in Manchester and everyone immediately assumed it was because they were announcing a split.

"I'm sure this will be a similar thing and things will soon get back to normal."

The band told journalists in Oslo on Thursday that they were tired as they neared the end of the European leg of their tour.

But rather than put off doing the show, they wanted to go ahead and get it out of the way to allow themselves a short break before the trip to the US.