In Memory Of Bob Herbert

The man who originally put together the Spice Girls has died in a car accident. Bob Herbert, 57, who was the current manager of boy band Five, was killed instantly when his car crashed on Monday in heavy rain. The Spice Girls said in a statement: "We were all shocked and saddened to hear the news. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family. We know he will be sadly missed." Police said the accident happened at 1540 BST on Monday on the main road through Windsor Great Park, Berkshire. It appeared that Herbert, who was driving a red MGF sports car, lost control in heavy rain. The car spun and was struck by another car, forcing the vehicle to leave the carriageway and to collide with a wooden fence. Herbert had to be cut from his car by fire and rescue teams, and was taken to Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, by air ambulance. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival. The 73-year-old man driving the other car, a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla, suffered chest injuries which are not thought to be serious, but his 70-year-old wife sustained serious spinal injuries. Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward. Newspaper ad led to stardom Together with his son Chris, Bob Herbert placed the 1993 advertisement in The Stage newspaper which brought the Spice Girls together. The group - then Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Adams, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell - were originally known as Touch and lived together in a house in Maidenhead, Berkshire when the Herberts managed them. However, by 1996 the group had changed their name and dispensed with the Herberts' services. They signed with Annie Lennox's manager Simon Fuller, and had their first hit with the number one single Wannabe in July 1996. However, the Herberts were not discouraged from their pop career, and achieved success in their own right with boy band Five last year. Bob Herbert also helped to form 1980s pop sensations Bros. Simon Cowell, Five's A&R man at RCA, said: "Bob Herbert worked closely with many people here in the past two years. Everyone here respected him greatly, and he was always the perfect gentleman. "He will be missed by all of us as a colleague, and more importantly, as a friend." Five are on a promotional tour in South America at present. As well as his son Chris, he is survived by his wife Ann and his daughter Nicky.

*May our thoughts be with Bob's family and close friends in this obvious time of need. May he be in our thoughts and prayers and may his life never be forgotten by all that knew him. He was definately a respected man and well deserved of this respect*