Richard O'Brien is not a fan of the Spice Girls - despite having appeared in their movie

Richard, 83, told The Guardian: "I've not met them since we did the movie. Am I a fan? Not particularly. They couldn't sing."

The Time Warp hitmaker thinks the Spice Girls' debut single Wannabe - the best-selling track by a girl group and which topped the charts in 37 countries - is a "chant" and not a song.

Richard explained: "'"I'll tell you what I want / What I really, really want.' It's not singing."

But despite not liking their music, the star enjoyed spending time with Melanie C, Mel B, Victoria, Geri and Emma on the set of Spice World.

Richard said: "The Spice Girls were put together and became a very successful pop group. No shame in that. As great singers, they don't qualify. But lovely girls."

Spice World saw the band members zip around London on tour in their plush double-decker tour bus, but their experience turns into a real adventure.

And Richard took a liking to Emma - nicknamed Baby Spice.

Asked in what order would Richard like to photograph the Spice Girls - referencing his role of a photographer in the comedy-musical film - he replied: "I don't know, really. I know, um - what's her lovely name? Baby Spice.

"Emma Bunton, she's delightful."

Elsewhere in his interview with the publication, the Science Fiction - Double Feature singer said he is kept alive by music.

Richard explained: "Singing is the purest art form. The first song ever sung was a mother cooing to her baby. What a delightful origin to something so delicious.

"When a great, unaffected singer like Billie Holiday is singing, without any kind of showing off, it's just delightful. I love good singing."