Halliwell rescued from broken lift

Geri Halliwell had to be rescued by firefighters after she became stuck in a lift on her way to a book signing.

The singer and four fans were trapped in the service elevator at the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex for an hour after it broke down.

Dan Hyatt, Sub Officer with Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, said: "We were called to help get some people out of a lift in Lakeside and when we got there we were all surprised to discover that one of the people trapped was Geri Halliwell."

The former Spice Girl was eventually released and told fans waiting to see her at WH Smith: "I got stuck in a lift."

Hyatt added: "Geri thanked us all for our help and was a really nice lady. There were loads of fans waiting for her so we were glad that we were able to get her out quickly so she could go and meet them."

The 35-year-old was at the centre to sign copies of her new children’s book Ugenia Lavender.