Spice Girls star Melanie C (Melanie Chisholm), formerly known as Sporty Spice, has described the 30th anniversary of the band's debut single Wannabe as a "very emotional day". Speaking on the red carpet at the Nordoff and Robbins Silver Clef Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, where she received the global impact award, she reflected on the group's rise, saying they had been told they couldn't succeed but went on to "conquer the world". Her comments mark three decades since a track that helped define 1990s pop and launched the band's Girl Power message.

Wannabe, released 30 years ago on the Wednesday of that week, sold more than eight million copies worldwide and spent seven weeks at number one after entering the charts at number three. Chisholm, 52, recalled the group being in Japan when the song topped the charts and having to send recorded performances back to Top of the Pops. The awards, which raise money for the music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins, also honoured Sam Fender (best live act), Jade Thirlwall (best female), Lily Allen (icon award) and Jessie J (outstanding achievement), while Andy Burnham presented a legend award to the Manchester band James.