‘You don’t succeed by being nice and sweet’

"I'd love to act, but it scares me"

Statuesque, steely and oh-so-sexy - it's not what you'd expect from the Spice Girl dubbed 'Baby'. Indeed, Emma Bunton brushes off the sub-zero temperatures and inch-thick snow that have the rest of us shivering in our Uggs, to prove there's more to this cool blonde than pigtails and a cutesy grin.

Scroll down to see our video of Emma Bunton's makeover

We're on our photo shoot with the former Baby Spice in Hertfordshire - and it's freezing. We're wrapped up in thermals and fake furs, while size-10 Emma strips to a barely there dress to nail the snow-princess look.

Tough and uncompromising, it's clear that she's ready to prove she's got guts as well as girlie charm.

She's the newest judge on this year's Dancing On Ice - replacing pleasant, polite, slightly older and, er, just a little bit bland, musical-theatre veteran Ruthie Henshall, 42.

Yes, Emma is glittery, sparkly and much smaller when you meet her in real life (she's only 5ft 1in), but she's got a feisty side too, and she's ready to unleash it.

Ice, Ice, Baby! Emma Bunton's back and this time she's bad

"You don't get through this industry by being nice and sweet," she warns. "I am very strong and I'm sure that people will see that side of me."

We catch a glimpse of no-more-Mrs-Nice-Spice on our shoot when Emma airs her fashion fears. She complains that the faux-fur coats we've chosen will swamp her petite frame and that anything white will make her appear bigger.

The criticism is as crisp as the winter air, yet shrouded in a smile. Miss Bunton means business, politely.

Emma, 33, says she won't be giving queen of mean, judge Jason Gardiner, a run for his money by firing jibes at the 14 contestants - who include ex-EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook, ex-Mrs McCartney Heather Mills, Simon Cowell's former flame Sinitta and Fabulous' very own Dr Hilary - but says she will be straight-talking. And if that means being cutting, so be it.

Glam on and off the ice

"You have to be outspoken," says Emma. "I say exactly what I think, and I'm going to say exactly what I see, too. I'm there to give contestants my opinion - good or bad."

The new series only began last Sunday, but critics have already sniped that as a pop singer - albeit with the hugely successful Spice Girls - Emma isn't qualified to judge the amateur ice dancers, as she's never skated before.

"Jason doesn't have ice-skating experience," she retorts, quick as a flash. "And while there are people who know about technique, you also need someone with a great eye for performance."

Performing is something that Emma has always enjoyed doing and, like the contestants she'll be judging, she's never been afraid to stretch a pedicured toe outside her comfort zone.

In recent years, Emma has appeared on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing and even turned her hand to DJ-ing, with a regular slot on Saturday afternoons at Heart FM. She's had so many changes of direction, in fact, it would be easy to think that Emma's unsure just what it is she wants to do next.

Not so, she insists. Acting is the career she truly craves. She's even been for secret Hollywood auditions.

With her Dancing On Ice judges (l-r) Jason Gardiner, Karen Barber, Robin Cousins and Nicky Slater

"I went for the part of Lex Luthor's girlfriend in Superman Returns," she says. Emma got called back four times, but didn't get the role starring alongside Kevin Spacey - that went to American actress Parker Posey, 41 - but the rejection hasn't put her off trying out for other roles. "I'd love to act, but it scares me," she says.

Her acting ambitions may have to be put on ice, though, if she is to realise her other dream of providing a brother or sister for Beau, her two-and-a-half-year-old son with partner Jade Jones.

"I've just had the most amazing time with Beau and I want to have more children. I would definitely like to try. It won't be too long I hope."

But with no nanny on hand and big aspirations, doesn't she worry that more babies will spread her a bit thin, or that she hasn't got the work-family balance right?

"Yeah," she says, hesitantly. "The beginning of this year will be busy!"

A hectic schedule won't be enough to put her off expanding her brood, though. After all, Emma embarked on the Spice Girls reunion tour just three months after having Beau.

"Madness, I know," she laughs. I love taking time out and relaxing, but I get that fire in my belly and being with the girls was just wonderful. I had Beau and Jade there, too. We went as a little family. But I don't know if I would do it all again so soon."

Emma and the Spice gang are still very much a solid unit, even if they all now live in different parts of the world.

"I saw all the girls, apart from Mel B, just before Christmas," says Emma. "We went to Victoria's house. We giggled, cried and talked about our children together. It's such a bond."

With such closeness, is there any truth that there will be another Spice Girls reunion around this summer's World Cup? Her answer is cryptic: "We are always creative when we get together and come up with ideas," she says. "Sometimes they surface, sometimes they don't. We're not at a point where we can say what."

On tour with the Spice Girls in 2008

But are they planning something? "Absolutely, a new venture of some sort," she admits. We're excited already!

The one project she's never quite managed to complete is cementing her 11-year relationship with former Damage singer-turned-chef, Jade, 31. Everyone always wants to know why they've never got married. So what's the truth?

"I'm not saying it will never happen. We've discussed it, usually when a friend's got married and we say, 'Wasn't that a lovely day? Maybe one day we should do it too.'"

What has been standing in her way? Is it because people close to her have suffered messy break-ups?

"My parents aren't together and they haven't been for a while," admits Emma. "But I don't think it's because of that.

"If we do ever decide to get married it would be great to organise and we'd have a lovely day. Maybe it's just that we haven't got round to it because we're doing other things and we're really quite happy just as we are.

"The three of us do everything together. Jade is such a gentleman. When I first had Beau, Jade would come home from work and, even though he was dying to give Beau a kiss, he'd always give me a kiss first. That was very special. Having Beau has made our relationship even stronger."

Emma with Jade and their son Beau

Jade may be the man of her dreams, but it doesn't mean that he's escaped a tongue-lashing from Emma, as she perfects her put-downs for her new judging role.

"Jade has a really good eye for fashion, but last night he put on this waistcoat and tie and I was laughing: 'Get that waistcoat off - you look like a waiter!'" she says.

Did he take it off? "Yes, no argument there!"

Watch out skaters, this Spice Girl clearly won't be pulling any punches...

Watch Dancing On Ice, Sundays, 6.45pm, ITV1.

QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS

When was the last time you threw caution to the wind and went wild?

Just the other week a couple of my friends came over from LA. It was all very girlie. We went out for a meal and then back to my friend's house, where we kicked off our high heels and danced the night away.

When was the last time you swore at someone?

When I'm in the car, I always swear when people drive off slowly at lights.

What's your biggest regret?

I believe you should never regret what you've done, just what you haven't.

What scares you the most?

Being on my own.

What's your biggest insecurity?

Before I had Beau I had lots, but now my biggest fear would be something happening to Beau.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: WENN, CAMERAPRESS STYLING: LYNNE MCKENNA HAIR AND MAKE-UP: LISA LAUDAT AT FRANK AGENCY LOCATION: WWW.1ST-OPTION.COM EMMA WEARS FEATHER WRAP, DEBENHAMS; DRESS, MONSOON; NECKLACE, FREEDOM AT TOPSHOP

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