Will Geri's girl be a Jezebel?

Geri Halliwell is the proud mother of a girl following an emergency caesarean section. Friends say the names she is considering include Stella and Jezebel.

The 33-year-old former Spice Girl had been hoping for a natural birth this week at a friend's home in North London.

But complications arose on Sunday night and she had the operation at the private Portland Hospital. Her Spanish mother Anna Maria was by her side.

The baby's father, Sacha Gervasi, a 40-year-old British-born screenwriter who lives in Hollywood, was not present.

Early in the pregnancy, Miss Halliwell had a furious row with Gervasi and refused to let him have anything to do with the child. He was said to be 'devastated'.

Friends said last night, however, that the pair have talked in recent days and she had agreed to let Gervasi play a part in the baby's life.

'Geri does not want to deprive her daughter the chance to have a father,' said one. 'Sacha is extremely willing to be part of her life too. They are taking things one step at a time. He wants to visit them in London as soon as possible.'

Miss Halliwell was introduced to Gervasi 18 months ago by her friend, Robbie Williams. She became pregnant during a six-week fling which ended in a row.

Friends cruelly nicknamed Gervasi the Sperm Donor since Miss Halliwell had made no secret of her desire to become a mother - even considering adoption - and the relationship was 'quite clearly not for keeps'.