You'd better believe it

We asked her about high heels, babies, marriage and radiant skin

If you were hooked on TV's Don't Stop Believing, the Glee-inspired talent show that aired over the summer, chances are it wasn't just the amazing musical groups that got your attention.

The show's host, 34-year-old Emma Bunton, also wowed audiences up and down the country – though, being a former member of possibly the world's most famous girl group, The Spice Girls, it's something Emma (or Baby Spice, as she is still known) doesn't exactly have to get used to.

Looking good

One thing you notice about Emma when you see her on TV is how fresh and radiant her skin looks – it's more like that of a 16-year-old than a mum in her 30s. Having admitted to being "a real soap and water girl" in the past, what could her secret be?

"Sleep," she says. "I go to sleep when Beau goes to sleep. So lots of sleep and lots of water. Before, I was a bit like, wipe my face with face wipes, but I've started looking after my skin more now and am using face packs and stuff."

But would she ever consider plastic surgery, if not now then in years to come? "I'm trying creams first, and then we'll see what happens," laughs Emma, who says in essence, she doesn't disapprove of cosmetic work.

"Each to their own, obviously," she says. "I think it's really down to the individual and how they feel. I've never been too worried about how I look. I certainly don't think I'm a vain person – I think there's more to life than worrying about how you look. I'd prefer to put my energy into seeing my family and friends – that's more important to me than what I look like."

However, one thing Emma says she'd never do is get naked for the cameras. "I’d never strip off, ever," she cries. "I wouldn't get my kit off for anything."

But it's not just taking her clothes off that's a no-no for Emma. Having been the only blonde Spice Girl, it's a look she fully intends to stick with – whatever the latest celebrity hair trend may be.

"I think blondes have more fun," she explains.

Judging by her recent TV and radio appearances, Emma's certainly having the time of her life.

How to stay calm

Emma once famously said that she suffers from panic attacks before she goes on stage – this typically includes feeling dizzy, sick or short of breath and thinking you're losing control and are going to make a fool of yourself.

If you know how she feels, here's a simple calming technique to use when panic starts to set in...

Breathe in to a count of seven

Breathe out to a count of eleven

The reason you breathe out for longer is that exhaling is thought to trigger relaxation. It also helps get rid of excess carbon dioxide from the body caused by over-breathing (or hyperventilation), which often accompanies a panic attack and causes many of the unpleasant physical symptoms.

Healthy spice

With Emma having been one of The Spice Girls and her partner, Jade, making a new career for himself as a TV chef, we're sensing some kind of culinary connection… So here's a quick guide to some of the many cooking spices that have health benefits:

Cloves

Oil of cloves is traditionally used to relieve toothache but adding dried cloves to Christmas foods may help ease indigestion and tummy upsets (ideal for the festive season). Cloves are also thought to help your body fight bacteria.

Cinnamon

Another Christmassy spice, cinnamon may be good for you in more ways than one. Studies have linked it to the relief of coughs and colds, and some researchers have found it helps maintain blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Ginger

A warming spice that may help relieve nausea (including travel and morning sickness) and reduce menstrual cramps, ginger is also available in supplement form – ask your pharmacist for details.

Cayenne pepper

Made from crushed, dried chillies, this red pepper contains the active ingredient in chilli – capsaiscin – which is thought to help joint pain, reduce cholesterol, clear stuffy noses and even help you burn more calories and lose weight.