06-07-98: Bronson had talks with Geri: lots of offers
RICHARD BRANSON has always basked in his reputation as everyone's favourite tycoon, but his popularity may be about to plunge, at least among very small girls. They may not be too impressed that Britain's best-known walking grin may have played a role in the break-up of the Spice Girls. As the nation is still adjusting itself to the shocking departure of Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger Spice) from the Fab Fivesome, Prufrock can reveal her exit coincided with a series of secret meetings. Geri or her advisers, it appears, talked to Branson as well as Chris Evans, the DJ who controls Virgin Radio, before making up her mind about whether to quit the chart-topping group for another potentially lucrative career as a radio and television presenter. There were also some informal contacts with BSkyB, which is hoping to sign her up in the near future to present her own show on Sky One. Branson and Evans are thought to have promised Geri a slot on their radio station. This does have a certain logic to it; after all, Evans's company is called Ginger Productions, and there is no more famous ginger than Geri. But our advice to the two grins is to avoid calling the programme Virgin Spice - that would be stretching the nation's credulity too far.