Geri seems semi-detached already

The performance, 10 days before Geri Halliwell announced she was quitting the band, clearly shows that Ginger had lost interest in the group.

While Baby and Scary put their all into the lead vocals on Viva Forever - and Posh and Sporty singing backing vocals with gusto - Ginger stands limply on the right looking as if she would rather be anywhere else.

Without a solo to sing, she only lifts her microphone to join in the choruses.

The remaining foursome sing with gusto

Neither does she contribute much to a low-key dance routine, barely swaying to the beat.

She seems, too, to have dressed for the occasion. The other four are as glamorous as ever, but Geri is wearing a shapeless black cardigan, and a simple black skirt.

Even the director seems to have picked up on Geri's mood, and an opening camera shot is revealing. It pans from Posh, across Sporty and Baby but then stops on Scary, with Geri nowhere to be seen.

Geri Halliwell split from the group 10 days after recording this performance

Top of the Pops producer Chris Cowey said: "We'd originally intended to broadcast the performance when the single is released [in July] but given Geri's departure from the Spice Girls it seems appropriate to screen it this week."

He said: "It's a great performance, with the girls on top form, and the perfect tribute to one of Britain's greatest pop groups.

"I'm sure Geri and the Spice Girls will both find enormous success in their future activities, but for now we'd like to celebrate the impact all five of them have made over the past two years."