Tonight was to have been the night for York fans of Mel C - until she had throat problems.

But her disappointed followers had one piece of news to cheer up the dark of a January evening without their star - the thought of May 16. That's the new date for the Spice Girl to appear at the Barbican Centre.

She had been expected to hit town today, but just days ago doctors forced her to postpone her visit to York.

About 1,800 tickets had been sold for her sell-out performance.

Now the Barbican Centre has announced she will be in town on the new date and all tickets for tonight's performance will be valid then. Anyone who is unable to attend will be entitled to a full refund.

"I am sorry to have disappointed my fans," said Mel C in a statement.

Updated: 10:47 Wednesday, January 31, 2001