IT'S barely six months since her son Beau was born, but looking at Emma Bunton you’d be forgiven for thinking she’d put herself on a punishing post-pregnancy diet.

The good news? Emma’s toned size 10 body has nothing to do with munching mung beans, it’s all down to dancing and a healthy eating plan that allowed her to indulge in her other passion – chocolate.

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Unlike some of her fellow Spice Girls whose figures have yo-yoed, 32-year-old Emma has always steered a healthy middle course.

Her a-little-of-what-you-fancy philosophy makes her a heroine to new mothers who can’t face a diet of rabbit food.

“It takes a while to lose the baby weight, but I didn’t feel I had to starve myself,” she says.

“And obviously, going straight on tour hurried things along a bit!”

Since hitting the road, Emma and the girls have danced their way around the world, each high-energy performance lasting over two hours.

Emma’s skin is glowing and her eyes sparkle as she settles down for our exclusive chat after the final show in Montreal, Canada.

“I’ve always been curvy and I like being that way,” she explains.

“I’m still dropping weight, but curvy is how I’ll stay.

"Before I fell pregnant I was doing Strictly Come Dancing, so I went into my pregnancy feeling very fit.”

Hurrah! If Posh is the Spice whose wardrobe we covet, Emma is the down-to-earth Girl we want as a friend.

True to form, Emma wasn’t afraid to reach for the cakes when she discovered she was pregnant.

“I love my food and thought: I can eat for two!’ I pigged out, I promise you.”

After Beau was born, Emma might have been tempted to throw herself into a rigorous exercise regime.

After all, Mel B hired Joey Kormier, Angelina Jolie’s trainer, to whip her back into shape, then Geri was pictured being put through her paces with an instructor.

But Emma took her time, “I didn’t feel any great pressure,” she says.

“I breastfed for four months, which helped.

"I did everything in moderation.

"I went to the gym three times a week, not seven - being stuck on a running machine for hours on end is so dull.

“I wanted to do everything naturally without going on a strict diet. I made sure I got the right nutrients, just in smaller portions.

"If I felt hungry I snacked on fruit.”

And, more importantly, she still allowed herself treats.

“A diet without chocolate was never going to work.

"There are some things you can’t deny yourself.

"As much chocolate as possible, please!”

Emma sidesteps the questions of whether she picked up fitness tips from Geri “Six-pack” Halliwell or Victoria “Twiglet” Beckham.

“We’re all very different,” she says diplomatically.

“I always say dancing is the very best way to lose weight.

"Mel B did the American version of Strictly and agrees that you almost don’t notice you’re toning up.

"Dancing’s definitely my hot tip for post-baby weight loss, girls!”

She has already persuaded her long-term boyfriend Jade Jones, the 28-year-old lead singer of Cherry BlackStone, to share her enthusiasm.

“He’s keen but he’s not brilliant.

"I think some lessons are called for,” she says.

Emma describes jade as a “doting dad” who supported her throughout the tour to helped look after Beau.

And it was her love of children that inspired Emma to be a judge for the News of the World’s Children’s Champions Awards, which celebrate those who go beyond the call of duty for children.

She explains: “It’s such an honour to be part of it. Becoming a mother makes you appreciate even more the amazing people in this world who give so much to others. It’s been inspiring.”

Watch the inspirational winners at the News of the World's Children's Champion Awards tonight, 6pm, Sky One. Click here for more information.

Photography: Perry Hagopian/Contour by Getty Images, Coffinf.com, Rex, Bigpictures.com, Chris Baldwin

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