Russell Brand Dating Spice Girl Geri Halliwell: Reports Say YES

Russel Brand reportedly found a former pop star to spice up his life.

The comedian and Geri Halliwell, Ginger Spice of the 1990s group The Spice Girls, are rumored to be dating after hitting it off at the Olympics closing ceremony earlier this month.

Brand, 37, was said to be so infatuated with Halliwell, 40, that he dumped his girlfriend Isabelle Brewster for her.

The pair has gone on several dates together since the ceremony, where they both performed.

"Things are getting very serious between them - they're a proper couple now," a close friend of Brand's told The Sun. "They had met several times in the past, but really got to know each other during the Olympics."

After the sporting extravaganza, Brand said, "I've got a crush on Geri Halliwell - everything in the world is how it should be."

With all the speculation and evidence, it seems the jokester was telling the truth.

"People thought Russell was joking at the time, when he said he had a crush on Geri all over again, but it was true," the friend added."They just clicked - they have so much in common. ... He is spending so much more time in London just to be with her."

Last weekend, the duo was seen laughing and joking as they toured the Hampton Court Palace with Halliwell's daughter Bluebell Madonna.

An observer witnessed the couple's interactions and told The Sun, "I thought it was the most random thing ever to see Russell Brand of all people in a place like that - until my wife pointed out he was with a Spice Girl. They seemed like they were having a really great time, holding hands and chatting - it was 100 percent obvious they were a couple."

The source added, "Geri was holding his hand the same way I hold my wife's. It was so cute."

Both Brand and Halliwell have struggled to maintain long-term relationships and have faced obstacles with addiction. Brand was married to singer Katy Perry, but they divorced after 14 months. Last year Halliwell split from Henry Beckwith, son of millionaire property developer Sir John, after two years because of his hard-partying ways. 

Brand beat his drinking and drug usage a decade ago and Halliwell has banned booze from her diet to look and feel better.

Halliwell told Hello! Magazine "Alcohol is full of sugar. Besides, if I'm going to find the balance of being a mum and having a social life, I just can't put a hangover in there."

Another close friend of Brand's told The Sun, "They've exactly the same sense of humor and are serious about clean living."