Bittersweet verdict for Spice Girls at awards ceremony

Signs that the popularity of the ubiquitous Spice Girls is beginning to wane became evident yesterday when they were voted best and worst British group at an awards ceremony.

Readers of Smash Hits magazine also voted their latest single, "Spice Up Your Life", as worst record and "Ginger Spice" as the worst-dressed female and "least-fanciable" woman performer.

The Smash Hits awards are important because they serve as a barometer for the industry. Lightweight pop groups must appeal to its young readers if they are to be successful.

The first signs that the public is growing weary of "girl power" came earlier this month when the band was booed off the stage at a performance in Barcelona. Yesterday, however, they received a warm welcome from 10,000 youngsters and music industry insiders at the ceremony inside the London Arena in east London. The American group Backstreet Boys were this year's overall winners, with votes for best band in the universe, best album and best video.