She may be one of the most glamorous women in pop, but Geri Halliwell admits to a self-conscious streak whenever she strips down to her bikini in public.

The Spice Girl, whose weight has fluctuated over the years, recently posed for her first bikini photo shoot in seven years.

The 36-year-old shows off her toned beach body in this week's issue of Hello! magazine.

Holding back the years: Geri Halliwell reveals her still enviable physique in her first bikini shoot for seven years

And despite looking fabulous, Geri confessed she's never been content when it comes to her physique.

She told the publication: 'People think I'm really confident but I do get self-conscious like many women about stripping off in public. I haven't been willingly photographed in a bikini for seven years - and I don't think I'll do it again.

Changing woman: A voluptuous Geri in 1997 (l) and much thinner in 2001 (r)

Geri Halliwell's bikini photo shoot appears in this week's Hello! magazine

'At the moment, I'm a bit curvier, having done the tour, so it was a big mental step forward for me to show my natural self, rather than my worked-out, honed self.

'Obviously, I'm still vain, that's still in there. I wanted to look my best and I wore a bit of fake tan but what woman wouldn't if they're being honest?

'I did strive to have my most perfect body and, in moments when I lack confidence, that voice is always there waiting to tell me, "You are not good enough, do better," but I'm more conscious of it.

'It used to be the loudest voice in my head but now I just tell it, "Shut up..."

'I don't have a strict diet any more. I eat cake, crisps, sugar-free chocolate and chips if I want to. I can't be bothered to follow a gruelling food plan. I'm a petite person and if I eat relatively healthily I'll stay that way.

'It's simple really. When I feel under pressure, I do eat cake but I don't punish myself for that like I used to. I just eat more healthily the next day.'

Eye-catching: Geri hits the St Tropez beach in the south of France last year