Channel 4 series on The Spice Girls, Leeds-born Mel B and feminism commissioned

The group, which included Leeds's own Melanie Brown - Mel B and 'Scary Spice' - rocketed to fame in the 1990s with single Wannabe.

Using hundreds of hours of archive footage and revealing interviews, the series from London's 72 Films - which has a working title of Girl Powered:The Spice Girls - will aim to tell the "complete story" of the best-selling girl band of all time.

Starting from the group’s formation in the mid ‘90s amid the backdrop of "ladette culture", right through to the recent world tour during the time of the #metoo movement, the series "examines how modern feminism has evolved through the life story and events that have surrounded the five members of the group," according to Channel 4, which is setting up its headquarters in Leeds.

Alisa Pomeroy, Channel 4 commissioning editor for documentaries, said: “The idea of using the story of the supremely popular and mould-breaking Spice Girls to make a multi-layered social history series was too good to pass up.

"The Spice Girls mirrored and influenced a generation of women and now, nearly 30 years since their formation, their story sheds light on the coming of age of modern feminism in ways we can fully appreciate for the first time.”

The series will be made by the directing team behind the multi award winning Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain, Rob Coldstream and Clare Cameron.

Clare Cameron, Series Editor 72 Films added: “Little did I know when I saw them perform live in Sheffield as a teenager, that I’d have the opportunity to make a series about one of the most iconic pop groups of our time and their impact on young women all over the world.

"Following the incredible stories of the band members is an exciting way of exploring the changing story of feminism over the last 25 years."