Geri Halliwell is being paid half a million pounds to spend an evening with a billionaire.

Dickie Lugner is throwing £500,000 at Geri Halliwell in return for her agreeing to be his date to an opera ball in Vienna.

The billionaire bragged to the Sun: "I'm proud to have such a star guest as Ginger Spice, who has made such a successful career for herself.

"I chose Geri because of her wonderful smile," he added.

Lugner has previously paid Sophia Loren, Grace Jones, Fergie and Pamela Anderson for their services.