Spice Girls star Melanie C has said the 30th anniversary of the band’s debut single Wannabe – which fell on Wednesday – was a “very emotional day”.

The singer formerly known as Sporty Spice recalled that seeing the song in shops had been “so exciting, because it was everything we dreamed of”.

The track went on to become one of the defining singles of the 1990s, selling more than 8 million copies worldwide, and launching the band’s Girl Power agenda.

“We knew exactly what we wanted to achieve but nobody imagined the scale [of what] we went on to do,” said the star, whose real name is Melanie Chisholm.

“We went out, we conquered the world.

“We were told that we couldn’t, and we wouldn’t. But we did.”

The 52-year-old was speaking at the Nordoff And Robbins Silver Clef Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, where she was honoured with the global impact award.

The Spice Girls celebrated Wannabe’s 30th birthday with separate posts on social media earlier this week.

Victoria Beckham said, external the song had “forever changed our lives”, while Geri Horner wrote, external: “Thank you to my beautiful spice sisters.”

“It was a very emotional day yesterday,” Chisolm said on the red carpet. “We’re all in touch obviously, all of the girls, we’re so grateful and respectful of each other.”

She also recalled Wannabe’s nail-biting first week on the charts. After 48 hours, it was expected to enter the Top 40 at number six. When the chart was finally published, it had raced up to number three.

“We were just on cloud nine,” said Chishom.

“Then it went to number one the next week – but we were in Japan, because we’d released the album in Japan before anywhere else.

“I remember we had record performances and send them back to Top Of The Pops [and] we were so frustrated because we wanted to get into that studio.

“Luckily it stayed there long enough that, on the third week, we got into the studio. And then it went on to spend seven weeks [at number one], so we had nothing to worry about, really.

“It changed all our lives forever. And some would say it changed the world.

She was presented with her award by actor Richard E Grant, who played the Spice Girls’ harried manager Clifford in the 1997 movie Spice World. To mark the anniversary, he wore one of his original sparkling pink suits from the film.

The Silver Clef Awards raise money for the musical therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins, which helps people living with a diverse range of conditions, from autism and dementia to brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, grief and trauma.

Other prizes went to Sam Fender, who won best live act; Jade Thirlwall, named best female; and Lily Allen, who won the icon award.

Speaking on stage, Allen spoke about the healing effect music had had in her own life.

“I think music is inherently therapeutic, in the listening to it and in the making of it.

“Sometimes when words fail, music begins, allowing us to tap into the most human, most vulnerable, most fallible parts of ourselves.

“I’ve only really made it to being an icon because my life has been made and saved many times over by being lucky enough to make music.”

The star returned to the spotlight last year with her fifth album West End Girl – a startlingly honest account of the breakdown of her marriage to actor David Harbour.

Singer-songwriter Jessie J, who received the outstanding achievement prize, told BBC News that music had helped her through two years of treatment for breast cancer, including a mastectomy.

“That’s the beauty of music, it holds your hand whenever you need,” she said, singling out Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me as “a song has held me in so many different moments in my life.”

As she received her award, the star advised the audience to make the most of life.

“You never know when your tits are going to be taken from you,” she laughed. “So enjoy your tits while you’ve got them.”

Andy Burnham took a brief respite from his campaign to become the next Labour leader and prime minister to attend the ceremony.

He was there to present the legend award to Manchester indie heroes James – best known for songs like Sit Down, Laid, Out To Get You and Sometimes.

“I am presenting this award on behalf of a generation of people who ruined their best going out clothes on beer-soaked dance floors because somebody told them to Sit Down.

“They did it because they love this band so much… And I was one of those one of those people.”

The newly elected MP said he had fallen in love with James after buying their Village Fire EP in 1986 (although it was actually released in 1985).

Noting that the band had often incorporated political messages into their music, Burnham promised, “I am not going to talk politics to you tonight.

“Except to say this, ‘Count Binface, you are carrying the hopes of the nation. Don’t let us down’.”

The serial election candidate Count Binface is standing in the Clacton by-election, triggered by the constituency’s MP, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who is standing again.

US pop star Pink – known for hits like Get The Party Started and So What – won the night’s biggest prize, the O2 Silver Clef.

During the ceremony, she successfully bid £16,000 for a pair of tickets to see Harry Styles in New York – then immediately returned her prize to be auctioned a second time.

A second bidder paid £20,000, and returned the tickets again, allowing them to be sold for a third time. In total, the sale raised £52,000 for Nordoff and Robbins.

As she accepted her award, Pink paid tribute to the therapists, nurses and staff who “give their hearts and their time” to Nordoff and Robbins every day.

“Getting this from an organisation that runs on compassion means a lot.”

Meanwhile, actor Peter Capaldi presented Scottish indie band Franz Ferdinand with best group – a year after joining them on stage at Glastonbury to play Take Me Out.

Speaking backstage, the former Doctor Who star commented on speculation over the programme’s future.

Last month, the BBC said it was cancelling this year’s Christmas special, at the same time as show runner Russel T Davies announced he was leaving the long-running sci-fi show.

“Oh, it will be back, definitely. Doctor Who will always come back,” Capaldi said.

“The funny thing that I’m experiencing at the moment, which is absolutely lovely, is that a lot of the kids who watched me as Doctor Who have grown up. I keep meeting people who are 21 or 22, telling me how important Doctor Who is to them. And that will happen with Ncuti [Gatwa] and Jodie [Whitaker] and whoever the new person is.

“So it’s going to happen, it’s too brilliant, it will be along again in a minute.”

The celebratory atmosphere at the Royal Albert Hall was tempered by news that Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler had died, at the age of 75.

Chisholm was among those paying tribute to the star, whom she met on an episode of the BBC TV show Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

“She was just what you imagine, she was as wild as her hair and her voice was, that was her personality, fiery, funny.”

“We had a scream together, she was so much fun, and it’s a great loss, and it made me feel very sad to hear the news.”

“God rest her soul,” added Jessie J.

“She was one of the most incredible artists – but music never dies, so the music and lyrics and stories that she gave us are forever and ever.”