The Spice Girls, those pop princesses with a combined age of 198, have surprised music fans by handing a supporting role on their current world tour to a disabled all-girl band, The Spazz Girls.
The Spazz Girls, who initially formed as a tribute band to their more able-bodied heroes, are also about to be offered a recording contract by Wheelchair Records, a company that caters for crippled artists, and the group are widely expected to be the biggest-selling new act of 2008.
Geri Halliwell, real name Ginger Spice, told reporters that, just because the Spazz Girls are invalids, doesn't make their contribution to music invalid.
"Their validity is that, musically they are brilliant", said Miss Spice, 38, quickly adding "much better than we are."
And Victoria Beckham, who is married to England footballer Wayne Rooney, said that her counterpart in the Spazz Girls, Posh Spazz, could outsing her "any day of the week", despite the fact that she has no arms or legs.
Tour organisers have already experienced problems, though, in accommodatimg the deformed musicians, having had to install an intricate system of expensive wheelchair-friendly ramps so that the band can perform their highly-specialised dance routines without keeling over.
Tracksuit-clad Sporty Spazz, spoke to journalists at a Press conference, and said:
"It's going to be a challenge. We just hope the crowds won't laugh at us!"
