Former Oxfordshire priest Sue Irwin is the woman who is the envy of the Church of England. She'll be marrying Scary Spice tomorrow - if it happens.

Speculation has been growing all week that Mel B will tie the knot tomorrow at her 16th century mansion in Little Marlow, Bucks. A huge marquee has been put up in the grounds.

A covered walkway leads to the adjoining church of St John the Baptist, where Miss Irwin is now vicar.

Earlier in her career, Miss Irwin broke the tradition of centuries in the village of Kidlington by becoming its first woman deacon.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Richard Harries, licensed her at a special service in St Mary's Church so that she could take weddings, funerals and baptisms. She was ordained a deacon in March 1987, having been a deaconess since 1979.

The Rev Graham Smith, then team rector at Kidlington, said at the time: "It will help us to make our minds up in Kidlington about how we feel about the ordination of women."

Scary Spice - real name Melanie Brown - has denied she and her dancer fiance Jimmy Gulzar will marry this weekend, claiming she wanted a church wedding in her home city of Leeds.

She is expecting a baby next spring, together with fellow Spice Victoria Adams and her fiance, footballer David Beckham.

Sporty Spice Mel C, talking to Radio One DJ Chris Moyles yesterday, said: "The girls are in fantastic relationships, so it is perfect for them.

"Jimmy is a really nice guy and he's a good dancer too."

The Spice Girls' concerts in Sheffield last night and tonight were sell-outs, as are their two concerts at Wembley Stadium next weekend.

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