The former member of the successful teeny bop band says she will answer questions sent in from fans in an online chat likely to take place in September.

Just like George

George Michael acting as "father figure"

She came up with the idea of using the Internet after pop star George Michael's online chat which took place a couple of weeks ago.

Fans e-mailed over 20,000 questions to George Michael, many concerning the singer's conviction for lewd conduct in a Beverley Hills public toilet.

The singer typed in answers to the e-mails from all over the world and even joked with fans that he was seriously offended at the lack of decent jokes that had been made about his conviction.

Looking after Geri

All together - the girls before the split

Geri is a good friend of George's and is currently staying with him in Los Angeles. The chat will take place on the website run by his record company Aegean.

Gerard Franklin, spokesman for Aegean said that George and Geri had a lot in common - both have had to deal with the pressures of fame and press attention.

"George is taking a father figure role, helping and advising her on the future," he said.

Hot gossip on the Net

Geri left the Spice Girls back in back in May this year in what many believe was an acrimonious split. She has kept a low profile ever since but many have speculated that she wants a solo singing career or a job in TV.

Mr Franklin said that by September Geri will have decided on her next career step and she will also be free of contractual obligations which prevent her discussing the break-up.