Mature Geri plans to surprise critics

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is set to stun critics with her new solo album - as her voice has significantly "matured".

The singer - who underwent surgery to remove nodules on her vocal chords in April - is delighted with the new album, especially since she penned most of it herself.

Insiders predict many fans and journalists will be surprised by the results. A source said: "It's taken Geri two years to get this album together, there are a lot of ballads and she has written most of it herself.

"We were thinking of a Christmas release but that's the silly season for records."