Westlife have accused the Spice Girls of moving the release date of their comeback album, because they were scared of being beaten in a chart battle with the Irish boyband.

Westlife claim both groups' albums were scheduled for release on 5 November - but the recently reunited bowed out of a battle for the top spot.

Singer Kian Egan is reportedly particularly disappointed, because he holds a grudge against Sporty Spice.

He bitches: "We would take great pleasure in beating the Spice Girls - especially Mel C because every time she opens her mouth something mean comes out."

"Our album (Back Home) is good, we've worked hard on it and it would have been good to go head-to-head with their one.

"As far as we were concerned we were going up against them and we were up for it. But then they suddenly changed their minds. They're running scared."

The Spice Girls insist their fourth album was never intended to be released on 5 November.